SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2732, 30 July 1915, Page 6

SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

A WOMAN'S DEATH.

AUCKLAND, July 29

A iire, attended by most suspicious circumstances concerning the death of an old woman named Annette Mumford, occurred in Symonds Street this evening about 7.15 o'clock. A passerby noticed smoke and flames issuing from the house, above the verandah. He immediately rushed to the front door, and tried to open it, but found it was locked. He then went round the side of tlio house and opened a window, and entered the building. On going through^.the house he found MrsiVlumford lying unconscious on her back in the sitting-room at tho reav of the house. She was carried outside, and it was found that she was considerably injured about the face. She was taken to Dr Casement Aikman's surgery, which is next door, but she expired almost immediately,, The old lady lived practically alone, and wa.s by herself when the fire broke out. /' It was subsequently ascertained that her injuries consisted of a depressed compound fracture over the right eye,, which extended along tho nose. It is thought that this could have hardly been caused by a fall, and foul play fs suspected.