LAST-MINUTE ESCAPE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 52, 25 November 1930, Page 11

LAST-MINUTE ESCAPE

Whiteman’s Valley Fire SCHOOL DESTROYED Whiteman’s Valley School was totally destroyed by fire at an early hour on Sunday morning. An elderly woman, Mrs. Allen, mother of the schoolmistress, and her small grandson, who were sleeping in the living quarters attached to the school, narrowly escaped death, having to leave by a window in their night attire. . The flames were breaking through the wall which separated the school from the living quarters when the grandson awakened her. With smoke filling the room and the flames in evidence, Mrs. .Allen was quickly aware of her predicament. She ran to the window, lifting the boy through first, and followed him to safety.. Once outside the blazing building, Mrs. Allen screamed for help, and her cries were heard by Mr. Daniel James, who lives opposite. He rushed out in answer and found the whole building ablaze, and the flames were eating their way through the roof. In such circumstances there. was no hope of saving the school, which .was burned to the ground in a very short time. The school teacher herself was not at the school at the time of the outbreak, being in the hospital seriously ill.