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A DEPLORABLE OCCURRENCE

CHRISTCHURCH, January 15,

A fite broke out last night in the dwellinghouse of Mr F. C. Raphael, in Madras street, and before the flames could be got under it was completely gutted. Nothing was saved, and a number of valuable pictures were destroyed. The family escaped in their nightdresses, but the domestic (Janet Blackmore), who was sleeping on the western side of the house, evidently did not wake, An alarm was raised, a ladder procared, and Mr M'Lean, of the ’Press’ office, entered the burning building through a window. He found the girl lying on the floor partly stupefied with smoke, Mr M'Lean succeeded in getting her out, and in doing so both fell on to the iron roof of the lean-to, in which the fire was burning. The girl remained on the roof, but M'Lean rolled off *on to the asphalt path of the tennis ground. He was not hurt, but the girl was severely burned while lying on the hot roof without clothes. Medical assistance was at once procured, but the doctor is of opinion that she cannot survive, as all her skin is burnt off. Insurance —H,200 in the Standard, LSOO being reinsured in the Union Office. Whilst the fire was in full blaze another fire broke out in Collier’s Aerated Water Factory, which was totally destroyed, [Special to the Stab.] CHRISTCHURCH, January 15, About half-past eleven last night a fire broke out in the residence of Mr F. C. Raphael, by which a young girl named Jane Blackmore lost her life. It appears that Mr M'Lean (of the ‘Press’ office) and Mr Mabley were standing conversing at the corner of Cashel and Madras streets, opposite the Temperance Hotel, when they heard a smash of glass and a cry for help. They immediately went into the garden from Madras street, and one of the young Raphaels, recognising Mr M'Lean, said: “ For God’s sake go and get _ a ladder out of the school, for the house is on fire.” At this time all the inmates of the house except the servant girl, Jane Blackmore (who slept qn the western side of_ the house), were on the verandah in their nightdresses. Mr M<Lean and Mr Mabley at once got the ladder, and assisted the members of the family down, one of the ladies being thrown into Mr M'Lean’s arms. One of them then said “Is Jane out ?” Mr M'Lean said “ Where is she?” She replied *' She is at the book,” Mr Mabley and Mr M'Lean then ran the ladder round to the window which is in the eaves. The smoke at this time was very thick, and

it ™ very difficult to get near. Mr M'Lean got op the ladder, and found the girl on the floor having got out of bdß partly stupefied with the smoke. Mr M'Lean got her out, and in doing so both fell on to the iron roof of a lean-to, in which fire was, the iron being very hot. The girl remained where she fell on the roof of the lean-to, whilst Mr M'Lean rolled off on to an asphalt path. He soon recovered himself, and at once, with the assistance of Mr Mabley, got the girl down. By this time she had been severely burned by remaining on the hot roof, having no clothes on. She was immediately covered up with coats and carried across to the Temperance Hotel, where she was pnt to bed. It was at once seen that her case was exceedingly critical, as the whole of the skin of her body had been burnt off. On examining the girl and applying dressings, Dr Ovenden gave the opinion that she could not survive.

The fire, which apparently started in the lean-to in which the kitchen was situated, soon spread to the other part of the house, and dense volumes of smoke poured out. There were some very valuable pictures in the front room, of which only two were got out, the greater part of the remainder being burnt in their frames.

There is no clue at all as to the origin of the fire, Mr B, Raphael had gone to bed about three-quarters of an hour, when ho was awoke by smoke, and immediately got up. Prior to his going to bed he turned the gas off at the meter. There was then no appearance of fire. Lateb. The girl Blaokmore died in intense agony at 4.30 this morning. The insurances are L 450 on the building, LSOO on the furniture and effects. L 55 on the piano, L 25 on the shed ; total, L 1,030 — in the Standard Office, Of this amount onethird is reinsured in the Union, and onethird in the National. There is also a special line of LSOO in the Standard Office on eight oil paintings, only two of which were saved.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18920115.2.19

Bibliographic details

Evening Star, Issue 8723, 15 January 1892, Page 2

Word Count
809

A DEPLORABLE OCCURRENCE Evening Star, Issue 8723, 15 January 1892, Page 2

A DEPLORABLE OCCURRENCE Evening Star, Issue 8723, 15 January 1892, Page 2

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