ANOTHER FATAL FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 155, 12 July 1901, Page 2

ANOTHER FATAL FIRE.

THREE CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH. THE UNCLE’S TERRIBLE DISCOVERY. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Christchurch, last night.

This afternoon a four-roomed cottage in Little Brencklcy Road, Lyttelton, was burned, and three children lost their lives by the fire. Tho eottago belonged to Hargreaves’ estate, and was occupied by a lumper named Frederick Day. He was at work, and his wife had gone out, leaving the children —a boy named Frederick Thomas, four years of age ; a girl, Evelyn May, aged five years and eight months; and a girl, Dorothy Maud, aged two years and seven months—in tho house, with a fire burning in tho front room. At about 1.15 p.m. Alfred Day, a brother of the occupant, while returning from rabbit-shooting on tho hills, saw smoke rising from the eottago. Running to a place near by he got assistance, and went to the eottago and broke the front window, I but the flames within prevented a rescue. The brigade could do nothing, and tho cottage was burned to the ground. The tiro is supposed to have been burning about twenty minutes when it was discovered. The bodies of tho children wore found m the debris. The boy and younger girl were on the side of tho sitting room. TIIO former was on tho floor, with a pillow over his head, and the latter on tho remains of tho couch with her head under the pillow. Tho older girl’s body was in tho kitchen. All the bodies were lying faco downwards, and all were charred beyond recognition. The building was insured in the Royal ofliec for £IOO. Tho furniture, which was all destroyed, was not insured.