FATAL BURNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 164, 14 July 1930, Page 16

FATAL BURNS.

OLD MAN'S DEATH.

FELL ASLEEP BEFORE HEATER

WIFE FOUND INSENSIBLE

Fatal burns were received by Mr. James Kimm, of 39, Grange Eoad, Mount Eden, when he and his wife, both aged 78, fell asleep before a portable, gae heater in their sittiug room on Friday evening. The couple were found insensible early on Saturday morning, and were removed to the Auckland Hospital. Mr. Kimm, whose fool; was severely burnt through clipping practically into tjie heater, died alout *ix o , -lock on Saturday evening. His wife regained owisoiousnetss this morning, and is now ir..i{.ioving. The couple resided in a cottage al the rear of the house of a son-in-law, Mr. Charles F. Johns. About eight o'clock on Friday evening Mr. Johns left them in their sitting-room listening to the wireless. Mr. Kimm, who was wearing slippers, was sitting in an armchair in front of the gas heater, while Mrs. Kimm wae reclining on a settee about 10ft away. The windows of the room were closed. Rising shortly after six on Saturday morning, Mr. Johns saw a light burning in the cottage, and entered the residence to find Mr. and Mrs. Kimm insensible in the position they had occupied ten hours previously. One of Mr. Kimm's feet was only a few inches from the heater, which was almost white hot. Mrs. Kimm had been violently ill. Dr. C. H. Tewsley was summoned and ordered the couple to be removed to the Auckland Hospital. Mr. Kimm was treated by several doctors, when it was found that the iiesh of one foot and ankle were very severly burned. The injuries proved fatal. Following an intimation from Dr. C. E. Maguire, medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, that he was prepared to certify as to the cause of death, it was decided yesterday by the coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, that an inquest was not necessary. Mr. and Mrs. Kimm had been residents of Mount Eden for a number of years. There are five surviving children, Mrs. Jelley, Wellsford; Mrs. C. Johns and Mrs. H. Farland, Mourn Eden; and Mrs. J. Collett and Mr. W. Kimm, Oamaru; und a number of grandchildren.