TWO MEN DIE IN FIRE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28159, 24 December 1956, Page 10

TWO MEN DIE IN FIRE

BACH DESTROYED AT BLACKBALL

VICTIMS’ BODIES FLOWN TO ROTORUA

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, December 23

Two young Maori men were burnt to death when a bach in which they were sleeping at Roa, near Blackball, was destroyed by fire early on Saturday morning. They were:

William Omohau, aged 19, and George Makai, aged 22. both of whose parents live in Rotorua.

The fire had burnt itself out when! the bodies of the two men were discovered. They had apparently been overcome by fumes. The three-roomed bach was occupied by Mr Makai and two friends, both of whom were absent at the time of the fire. Mr D. McFadgen, who lives near the bach, was awakened about 4 a.m. when he smelt burning. About 20 minutes later, he noticed the smell was becoming stronger and on investigation saw flames coming from the bach. When he arrived at the scene he found other residents there with a hose and hydrant. Nothing could be done to save the bach, which was completely razed. The body of one man was subsequently found on a bed and the other on the floor. Mr Makai’s body was identified by two charred bank books under his body. The two men were last seen alive at 2 o’clock that morning. An adjoining bach was in danger for some time and it was with difficulty that occupants were aroused and made aware of the next door disaster. The bodies were flown to Rotorua from Greymouth airport on Sunday.