TWO DIE WHEN HOMES BURN

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 1

TWO DIE WHEN HOMES BURN

Two persons died in fires at their homes yesterday morning and a young woman suffered only minor burns when she ripped off her burning pullover.

A man died when his small bach in Whakarite road, Ostend, Waiheke Island, was burnt out about 7.30 a.m., the Press Association reported. He was: CECIL STANLEY WILDING, aged 57. single, retired.

Exploding asbestos sheeting woke a neighbour. Mrs A. E. Dunne, who gave the alarm. While members of the Waiheke Volunteer Fire Brigade poured water on the flames. Constable A. N. Brennan threw buckets of water over the door and tried to get inside but was forced back by the flames. Woman Dies A Taumarunui widow was burnt to death in her home when fire swept through it at

3.15 yesterday morning. She was Mrs Caroline Cox, aged 82. The brigade was called to her home at Miriama street, but it was blazing so fiercely that no brigadesman was able to enter. A young man. Peter Slykerman. ran to her home when the siren sounded and prised open a window. He saw Mrs Cox inside, but flames prevented his entry. Her body was found on a couch in the sitting-room. Quick Action An Auckland nurse saved herself from serious injury when she ripped off her pullover after it caught fire. Miss Anne La Franchie. from the nurses’ home, Middlemore, was pouring petrol into the carburettor of her father’s car in Pitt street, Auckland, when petrol vapours ignited. She immediately ripped off her burning pullover. Her father, who was in the car working the starter, rushed out and smothered the fire with a rug,

Miss La Franchie was taken to a nearby St. John ambulance centre and then admitted to Auckland Hospital with minor burns to her neck and left wrist. Her hair was also burned. Boat Afire

Two men took to the water when their 16 foot motor launch Tiki Too caught fire at Evans bay. Wellington Harbour, about 2.20 p.m. yesterday.

The launch was gutted at its moorings and cannot be salvaged. Its owner, Mr K. Winter,rand Mr B. F. Cox were forced to jiunp overboard as flames enveloped the boat's cabin. MF Cox was wearing a lifejacket and swam ashore. Mr Winter climbed on a boat moored nearby.

The fire brigade was called, but only the shell of the boat remained when the fire was put out The cause of the fire is not known.