NURSE’S DEATH IN FIRE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 69, 14 December 1938, Page 8

NURSE’S DEATH IN FIRE

Inquest In Nelson

By Telegraph—Press Association. NELSON, December 13,

-It is clear that the deceased never left her bed. Probably site never even moved. The remains rested on a wire mattress and no doubt, death was clue to asphyxiation and she probably did not suffer as far as burning was concerned,” said the coroner, Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., at an inquest into the death of Nurse Mary Condell Rothwell, who died in a fire at the new nurses’ home, Nelson Public Hospital, on October 30. Au inquiry into the cause of the fire was held at the same time.

The coroner commented that it was amazing how rapidly the fire enveloped the whole building. To his mind that was due mainly to the material of which it was constructed, though, perhaps, the theory of the lire brigade superintendent as to there being inflammable gases might also be a contributory cause. It was remarkable in the circumstances that more occupants were not trapped. He was satisfied that the iron collapsible ladders as provided were unsuitable as fire escapes. A verdict that Nurse Rothwell, died from asphyxiation by smoke was returned. The coroner added that the origin and cause of the fire were a mystery, but it was certain it did not start in the furnace room, because that part was less affected by fire than any other. He was quit 6 satisfied that the fire began under the floor of the sittingroom, which was adjacent to the boiler, and the most feasible theory was that there’ must have been considerable heat passing through the floor of the sitting-room. He agreed with the superintendent of the fire brigade that the indirect cause of the fire was the heat coming from the boiler and passing under the sitting-room.