TRAGIC DEATH

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12485, 20 October 1938, Page 8

TRAGIC DEATH

FORMER CHAMPION AXEMAN LOSES LIFE IN FIRE DESPERATE RESCUE EFFORTS New Plymouth, Oct. 19. Trapped by flames in a small re-cently-built house at Inglewood, a former champion axeman and sawyer was burned to death early this morning. The victim was; Mr George Thomas McCauley aged 54. A gallant but unsuccessful attempt to rescue Mr. McCauley was made by a neighbour, Mr. Cyril Reed. The flames had a firm hold on the building when Mr. Reed was awakened by .the noise and noticed a glare through the window of his house, endeavour to Escape Seizing an axe, Mr Reed, who is a member of the Inglewood Fire Brigade, dashed out, called a nightwatchman, Mr. C. Knofflock, to give the alarm and attempted to enter the burning house, which was by then a white hot mass of flames. Mr. Reed managed to force a few boards from the wall with the axe, but the intense heat forced him back. In any case, it was obvious to him that any occupant of the house would by then have been overcome. A' long lead had to be taken by the fire brjgade and when the fire was quelled it was discovered that Mr. McCauley had apparently been awakened by the fire and had made an endeavour to escape. He had collapsed near the doorway. Started Sawmilling Business Mr. McCauley was formerly wellknown throughout the North Island for his feats as an axeman and sawyer. From 190 2 to 1927 he won championships in all parts of the island and with Con. Casey, another noted exponent, formed a team that was for long unbeatable. He went to Inglewood several months ago and started a sawmilling business in which he had been engaged in the Taumarunui and Ohura districts. He leaves a son and three daughters. At the inquest it was found that there was insufficient evidence to show the cause of the fire. Evidence was given that deceased was a heavy smoker and had a habit of smoking in bed.