FIRE AT WAIKANAE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 112, 12 April 1926, Page 6

FIRE AT WAIKANAE.

NARROW ESCAPE EROM DEATH

Additional particulars of the firo at Waikanae on Friday night, when Mrs H. A. Brown’s liouso was destroyed, show that an aged couple, Mr and Mrs- Temple, senr, had just timo to escape with their lives. Both were so badly injured that they had to be removed to the Otaki Hospital. Everything was in order when the household retired on Eriday night. T here had been a fire in tho range, blit this had been extinguished. About 11.15 p.m. Mrs Brown was awakened by fumes, and upon going into the kitchen discovered the room to be full of smoke. Mrs Brown awakened her father and mother, Mr and Mrs Temple, who are over (10 years of age, and then ran to a neighbour’s house lor assistance. Upon her return she found tho liouso in flames.

Mr and Mrs Temple had a miraculous escape. The former had just time to secure -a desputch-box containing important documents when the bouse suddenly burst into flames. 'The aged couple managed to escape with their lives, though not until both had been burnt about the head and neck. They were speedily conveyed to the Otaki Hospital, where their injuries were attended to.

It is surmised that tho fire was caused through the electric wiring above the kitchen fusing. Tho fire must liavo been smouldering for some considerable time, as the whole bouse burst into flames with remarkable suddenness. There was no time to save any of the contents of the bouse, the box of which Mr Temple-took out with him being the only tiling rescued.