FATAL FIRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 253, 7 August 1941, Page 8

FATAL FIRE.

DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN. HUSBAND’S TRAGIC STORY.. (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 6. The Coroner (Mr F. Iv. Hunt, S.M.) to,day opened the inquest into the death of Mrs Grace Lord, aged .26, as the result of a-lire at her home at Sandringham early this morning. Lord told a tragic story. He said that when he and his wife retired at 11 o’clock a coke five was still burning slightly in the breakfast-room. “| was awakened bv a crackling noise, and found the room full of smoke,” said Lord. “The ceiling, blinds and curtains were burning fiercely. 1 jumped out of bed and pulled on the light switch, but the light would not come on. On going to the bedroom door I found the hall full of smoke. 1 aroused my wife, who was last asleep. “We were both nearly suffocated with smoke. I helped my wife to the front door, but found the lock had slipped. I was unable to open the door and attempted to get out of the house through the spare room and out of the window". I told my wife to wait in the passage by the door of the spare room so as to be ready to follow" me when 1 got the window up. > “I got to the window and opened it, and then I heard my wile call. When j called back to her I received no answer, so returned to the hall, which was a mass of flames. I was choking and had to get out of the house to get my breath. I did not see my wife again. Neighbours’ efforts to enter tlie house were unavailing, owing to the flames. “Because of the fact that my wife was found in the bedroom, I am of the opinion that she returned there to get clothes, and was overcome by the smoke and flames. ’’ The inquest was adjourned sine die.