FIRES AND FATALITIES.

Northern Advocate, 6 October 1913, Page 5

FIRES AND FATALITIES.

AUCKLAND, Oct. 6

At Birkenhead on Saturday night a fire destroyed a dwelling: occupied by James Given? aged 66, and his wife, aged 65. About half-past eight o'clock neighbours . discovered the house ablaze. The flames had such a strong hold that nothing could be done to save the building. As the walls fell in the dead bodies of Given and his wife were seen lying in the midst of the burning debris. It is supposed the fire was caused by the upsetting of a lighted candle. From the position of the bodies it appeared that Mrs Given was in bed when the fire started. The husband's body was on the floor a few feet away.

A fire at Grey Lynn on Saturday night gutted a six-roomed house owned and occupied by a "widow, Mrs W. Rogers. Mrs Rogers and her family were left destitute through her husband having been killed by being thrown from a cart ten years ago. Money was collected and the house presented to Mrs Rogers. The body of an unknown man aged about 55 years, was found drowned on the beach at Orakei. WELLINGTON, Oct. 6. The body of Benjamin Anderson, a casual wharf labourer, was found floating in the harbour yesterday. Little was known about him beyond that ?ie was about 45 years of age.