NELSON FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1938, Page 5

NELSON FIRE

INQUEST FINDING

NURSES' HOME DISASTER. (Per Press Association —Copyright). NELSON, December 13. “It is clear that deceased never loft her hod, probably she never even moved. The remains rested on the wire mattress and no doubt death was due to asphyxiation, and she probably did not suffer as far as burning was concerned,” said Coroner Maunsell, at an inquest on Nurse Mary Condell Rothwell. who died in a fire at the new nurses home at Nelson Public Hospital on October 30. The inquiry into the cause of the fire was held at the same time. The coroner commented that it was amazing how rapidly the fire enveloped the whole building. To his mind, tliat was due mainly to the material of which it was constructed, though perhaps the theory of the Fire Brigade Superintendent as to there being inflammable gases, might also he a contributory cause. It was remarked in the circumstances that more of the. occupants were not trapped. He was satisfied that iron collapsible ladders, as provided, were unsuitable escapes. His verdict was that the nurse died from asphyxiation by smoke. He added that the origin and cause of the fire was a mystery, but he was certain it did not start in the furnace room, because that part was less affected by fire than any other, hut he was quite satisfied that the fire began under the 'floor of the sitting-room which was adjacent to the boiler, and the most feasible theory was that there must have been considerable heat passing througn the floor of the sitting room. . He agreed with the Superintendent of the Brigade that the indirect cause of the fire was heat coming from the boiler and passing under the sitting room. -

His verdict Avas that the cause and origin of the fire was indirectly traceable to the furnace, but otherwise was not established bv the evidence.