ORPHANAGE FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 57, 8 March 1923, Page 8

ORPHANAGE FIRE.

DEATH OF RONALD MORRIS. THE CORONIAL INQUIRY. The inquest concerning the death of Ronald Morris, nine years of age, an inmate of St. Joseph's Orphanage, whose charred remains were found among the ruins after the fire, was held yesterday by Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. Constable McCarthy, stationed at Takapuna, said that the body was charred beyond recognition, but he had no doubt whatever it was that of Ronald Morris, an inmate of the orphanage which was destroyed by fire on. March 4. When the child was reported missing a search made among the debris where he had been sleeping, and there the remains were found. The boy had been an inmate of the orphanage for two years. Splendid rescue work was performed by the staff, and from inquiries he had made he was of opinion that no one was to blajne for the boy not being rescued with the other inmates. He was in a dormitory not far from where the fire originated, and was probably overcome by fumes before the alarm was given. His remains were iound face downwards on a wire mattress. The boy was not paralysed or in any way helpless, and as far as witness knew there was no reason why he did not come out with the others. The fire was, in his opinion, purely accidental. A verdict of accidental' death, no blame being attachable to anyone, was returned.