THE DRUNNER TRAGEDY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 108, 8 May 1909, Page 9

THE DRUNNER TRAGEDY.

INQUEST OPENED.' [BT TELEGHAFH — PRESS ASSOCIATION-^ GREYMOUTH, 7th May. Concerning the burning to death of two children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Watchman, Mr. Turton, S.M., opened an inquest this afternoon. Thomas Watchman (father) stated that his wife, eldest ohild, and himself were out spending the evening. They arrived horn« at 11.30, and, before retiring, he weufc through the house, and there were no lights or fires then. About 1.30 he was awakened by something falling, and on getting up found the house filled with smoke. A fire was raging in the kitchen, and, as the stairway led into that room, escape was cut off. He got all the children into the one room, and opened the window. He let tho three boys down. The youngest, three years of age, broke his arm in the fall. Then his wife got out, and he also jumped out, thinking in his excitement that the girls were out. Assistance was soon at hand, but the building is as a mass of flames and the two children were never seen again. After the fire burnt out their remains were found in the debria about four feet apart. The inquest was adjourned till Monday morning, and the funerals take place on Sunday afternoon. The insurance on the uuilding was £100 in the Alliance office. The stock and furniture wei'e insured for £600 in the State office.