A FIRE TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 71, 24 March 1926, Page 10

A FIRE TRAGEDY

FOUR PEOPLE BURNED TO DEATH

TWO OTHERS IN HOSPITAL

ELTHAM BOARDING-HOUSE DESTROYED.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ELTHAM, This Day. Eltham was tne scene of a shocking tragedy at' 2. o'clock this morning, the result of a fire, which destroyed a boarding-house of thirteen rooms. Of ten inmates, four . lost their lives, and two are in the hospital. The victims were:— Priscilla Rebecca Crenfeldt, a widow, aged 49, a cook. Irene Harrison, aged 21, a domestic servant. George Charles Nielsen, aged 21, a grocer's assistant. Victor Davidson, aged 19, a visitor. The charred remains of ■ the victims were found in the debris. When the fire was discovered the b:ilding was in flames. The brigade was helpless in the face of a howling gale,, and devoted its efforts to saving an adjoining building and shop' occupied by Harrison, painter and paperhanger, and the outbuildings. There were ten occupants in the boarding-house, and six escaped in their nightclothes. .' ' George Davidson, a brother of Victor, jumped from an upstairs windoy, and is in a serious condition in the hospital. Another of the occupants is in hospital with minor injuries. The victims are well-known in the district, ftnd the tragedy caused a great shock to the community.' The origin of the fire is a mystery, and an inquest will be held. The insurance on the- buildings is £675 in the Standard Office, and on the contents £500.