HOUSE FIRE

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33066, 6 November 1972, Page 2

HOUSE FIRE

Milkman to rescue (N.Z. Press Association) NAPIER, Nov. 5. A milkman, Mr P. Williams, and his 12-year-old daughter, Julie, helped to save three young children from a burning house in Napier early today. Mr Williams, who was on his milk round, rescued an 18-month-oid girl from a smoke-filled bedroom in a house in the suburb of Tamatea about 3.20 a.m.

The occupants, Mr and Mrs T. Wickham, saved their children from the house. Mrs Wickham freed Andrew, aged four, and Susan, aged three, but Mr Wickham was overcome by smoke and suffered first-degree burns. He was admitted to hospital, and he is in a satisfactory condition today. Mr Williams said his daughter noticed a glow from the house, and as they approached, they saw the building was well alight. Both Mr Williams and Mr Wickham tried to enter the house. “Mr Wickham smashed his bedroom window with my torch, and Mrs Wickham helped me inside. The room was filled with smoke, but I managed to find the baby’s cot. I felt around and finally found her standing up and clinging to the side.” The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes by the fire brigade. It is thought to have been caused by a cigarette butt.

Throat improving. — The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) was still showing signs of the sore throat that developed in Nelson on Friday, when he spoke in Greymouth on Saturday evening. However, members of his party said that it was improving.—F.0.0.R.