Children Saved With Seconds To Spare

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30391, 16 March 1964, Page 1

Children Saved With Seconds To Spare

(New 'Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, March 15.

Three small children were carried to safety with only seconds to spare in a dramatic rescue at the height of a house fire at Manaia this morning.

Their father, Mr T. R. Colson, a Manaia sharemilker, was almost overcome by smoke as he groped his way through the house in search of the children, all of whom were under four. Minutes after they had been taken out the building was blazing. Nothing was saved, and Manaia firemen, attending their third house fire in as many months, had to watch helplessly. There was no water.

The fire began in the Lower Glenn road farm bouse shortly after 8 a.m. as Mr and Mrs Colson were milking their cows. “I was in the shed when I noticed smoke coming from near the house,” said Mrs Colson. “It appeared to be coming from a burning off fire at first, but then I shouted to my husband that the house was on fire.” “I dropped everything and covered the distance between

the shed and the house, about 300 yards, in record time,” said Mr Colson. “All 1 could think of was the children. The smoke was terrific, but I found Debbie, aged 3J, and lan, aged 21, standing on the sofa in the kitchen. “I grabbed the two of them as the smoke got thicker and rushed outside. The flames appeared to be coming from round the meter in the passageway. “1 knew our 14-months-old son, Warren, was in his room near the front of the house, but the smoke was so thick 1 could not see the door. “1 put my head down and went straight along the hall groping for the door with my hands. The smoke was like diesel fumes, but finally I reached the door and found Warren in his cot. “By this time the front windows had blown and the strong wind was fanning the flames back through the house.” Mr Colson said he managed to get Warren outside, but there was no chance of re-entering because the flames had enveloped the house. “1 am pleased our six-weeks-old baby was at the shed with us," said Mr Colson. “1 don't think 1 would have been able to make a third trip into the house." All the couple and their children had left was the clothes they stood in, but neighbours rallied and alternative, accommodation and clothing were quickly provided.