NOVELIST’S HOME BURNT
DAUGHTER’S NARROW ESCAPE Canon Hannay, better known aS George A. Birmingham, the _ novelist, and members of his family, were roused from sleep this week by a disastrous fire at their residence, Mells Rectory, a picturesque Jacobean bouse near Frome, Somerset. The fire, which broke out shortly after 3 a.m., completely destroyed the house and a considerable quantity of period furniture and other valuables.' Canon Hannay and his family had narrow escapes, particularly Miss Althea Hannay, his youngest daughter, who, awakened by the sound of crackling, rushed out of her room and alarmed the sleeping household. No sooner had she left her room than the ceiling collapsed and fell upon the bed in which she had been sleeping. Canon Hannay and members of his family wore later the guests of Mr Reginald M'Kenna, chairman of the Midland Bank, and a former Chancellor of the Exchequer, who lias a house in the district. \
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Evening Star, Issue 20196, 8 June 1929, Page 18
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154NOVELIST’S HOME BURNT Evening Star, Issue 20196, 8 June 1929, Page 18
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