CHILD'S ESCAPE FROM SUFFOCATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 164, 11 July 1906, Page 5

CHILD'S ESCAPE FROM SUFFOCATION.

A small four-roomed tenement in Marmion street, off Upper Queen street, was found to be on fire yesterday, and the City Fire Brigade, dealing promptly with the outbreak during its early stage, succeeded in confining it to the base-, ment. The house, which is owned by Messrs Nicholls Bros., and not insured, was occupied by Mr R. Funnell and his family. Mrs Funnell left a small child in the house while she went out for the morning, and when the fire was discovered, two neighbours broke open the door and rescued the little one in a half suffocated condition. It quickly revived in the fresh air, but undoubtedly had a narrow escape from death, as the rooms on the ground floor were practically burned out. Some damage was caused by water in the upstairs rooms, and the walls of Mr McCarthy's house adjoining were scorched. The loss through the fire is estimated at about £50. Inquiries made by the police show that the fire was probably caused by a little boy aged five, who was left in the house with another child aged three. He found a match on the floor, and lighted a candle, dropping the match in the back kitchen, where the outbreak originated.