SIX LIVES LOST

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 198, 23 August 1939, Page 12

SIX LIVES LOST

FIRE TRAGEDY.

MAORI CHILDREN.

ASLEEP IN SHACK.

ALARM RAISED TOO LATE

VAIN DASH TO HOSPITAL. (By Telf>»rriiph.— Special to "Star.") TAUPO, this day. Pi\ Maori children lost their lives as the result of a shocking fire tragedy at a native hi rid development settlement about a mile past the Tongariro Bridge, on the National Park-Taupo highway, early Inst evening. Th« victims were: — Tony Biddle. a;:ed nine. Martin Biddle, aged eight. Ngatini Biddle, aged seven. James Biddle, aged six. Haremata Biddle, nged five. Armstrong Biddle, aged three.

The parents of the victims, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Biddle, occupied one hut and nil tho children were in ano'ther hut near by.

The children's sleeping quarters were a mass of flames before the fire was discovered about 8 o'clock.

Once the alarm was given, desperate efforts were made to rescue the children, and all six were eventually got out. It was realised that all were in a critical condition, and with a minimum of delay they were rushed to the Taumarunui Public Hospital by ambulance.

Haremata was dead on arrival at the hospital, and the five other children died soon after admission.

A Proas Association message from Taumarunui states that after putting their children to bed Mr. and Mrs. Biddle, with their seventh child, an infant, went to spend the evening with some neighbours.

Another neighbour later discovered the hut in llames, and callcd Mr. and Mrs. Bicldlo, and, with others, they got the children out of the hut. All were suffering from severe burns.