FATAL FIRE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 23 December 1913, Page 8

FATAL FIRE.

CHARRED REMAINS.

J«I CABI*—PBBSB ABSOCI4.TTCH—COPYRIGHT. ■.". (Received Dec 23- 12,30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22. 'A fire at Park Mansions flats, Knightsbridge, occurred early this .morning. The occupants of the sixth floor were rescued by ladders. One charred body was found. It is the largest fire in the West End since that at the Carlton Hotel. ' . HEROIC FIREMEN. The'"inmates ©f_ Knightsbridge were arousetjl by the snouts of onlookers in the streets. • Three; maidrservants, in their nightdresses, took refuge on the roof, and a fireman climbed ladders two hundred feethigh/to the screaming women, who threatened to jump unless rescued immediately; They were finally rescued singly on a swaying lacl3er. • , • -The two upper stories blazed Jurioussjy. A waiter named Edwards died when returning to secure some money. A housemaid states that whilst escaping down a corridor in suffocating smoke she heard Edwards (the waiter) stumble and fall helpless. She dragged him until the. flames and smoke overpowered her and obliged tier to:leave him. .. . The firemen's- heroic efforts in scaling the building held the spectators spellbound.. ..'. '■:.-,..;.:;.; ■' .. ■. .;-..■" ■'..•...:■.-.