BURNED TO DEATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3294, 12 August 1911, Page 8

BURNED TO DEATH.

AN AGED WOMAN’S FATE. tPBJt PRESS ASSOCIATION. J AUCKLAND, August 11. ‘ Mrs Julia Kelly, an old age pensioner 70 years of age, was burned to death in a fire in a six-roomed house in Upper Queen street, which she occupied with her son, Andrew Kelly. Neighbors noticed a smell of fire during the night, but failed to locate the fire. Early this morning smoke was seen issuing from the roof of Kelly’s house. The neighbors found the place ablaze. They dragged Andrew Kelly out of bed. When the brigade arrived they found Mrs Kelly on the floor of her bedroom. She was dead. The body was badly burned. Apparently the fire originated in the room she slept in. The' police arrested Andrew Kelly on a charge of drunkenness. Later.—The fire in Kelly’s house was discovered by two' young men. One gave the, alarm, and the other entered the back door. The flames were burning fiercely, and the rooms were densely filled with smoke. Andrew Kelly, a laborer by l occupation, aged 40, was found in the back bedroom on the bed. He was fully dressed. He was awakened with difficulty. and dragged from the burning building. When interrogated, he was understood to say there was no one else in. the house. The flames were now belching from all parts of the building. When' the fire brigade arrived it was reported that Mrs Kelly was in the house. Water was poured on the front bedroom until, the firemen gained an entrance, and 1 found the Woman lying behind the bedroom door, dead. Neighbors state that some disturbance' was heard in the house last, evening after Andrew Kelly was seen to enter, but, beyond commenting on the matter, no action was taken. Deceased had been nursing for fire years, and was regarded as a kind-hearted, estimable woman.