BURNED TO DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 19388, 23 October 1926, Page 9

BURNED TO DEATH

TRAGEDY IN WOODSIOE COTTAGE In saving a calf housed in the fro room of an old wooden cottage at Woodsiclo this morning, William Wells, a young man, was burned to death. That is tho only surmiso that can bo raado from the finding of tho charred remains of deceased in tho debris of tho house, between 8 and 9 a.m. to-day. v\ hen residents of Woodsido noticed tho unoccupied four-roomed cottago (owned by Mr A. M'Kolvie) on fire, tho flames had obtained a good hold. After the hro v\ ells 6 charred body was found in tho remains of tho front room. A laborer by occupation, W oils was a single man, and resided with his mother at "Woodsido. His mother owned tho ca t, which was housed in the front room of tho old unoccupied cottago. At about 8 a.m. Wells left his home to feed the calf, and a little after that hour ho was seen standing in tho road outside the cottage wuh an empty bucket, tho assumption being that he had already fed tho calf. The empty bucket was later _ found further clown tho road in the direction of Ins homo. , _ , , Apparently t]ie deceased had proceeded homewards when ho turned round and noticed tho old house in flames, tho hro probably having started through his dropping a match or a cigarette butt when feeding tho calf. Wells must have ran back to tho house with tho intention of letting loose tho calf, which was tied up. The house was littered_ with straw, and tho flames spread quickly. Tho calf was released from tho burning house and was found outside the house. Being in poor health, deceased was apparently overcome by tho smoko and boat, and fainted.