FATAL FIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 April 1926, Page 3

FATAL FIRE

\T s , r-:o \i:i)i\(;!ii)r--i- ---■' ••<■ l'rcs> A"-"i'in».ion.) ■i*.\|-.M.\i:rxri. V|..-ii :,. Allien Edward bobm-on. a Tiide ma n. about l.'i yea r-. of ai;e. cmp:o\ ed as a mill hand, lo ! hi- life earl; i},i mornine in a lire ~)i:• h occurred in i'ouan's boarding-house at Ma munii. Tile lioardiiicdioiise, whicli was a kirm' 1 wo-sun'iei! buildinu, was we!! ablaze whiM! the occii|ianls, Mi\ Ibivan and three lion rders—lJobiiison. I,'. Smith. and \V. Sini|ison lirsi hecame aware of 'he lire mi :.'.:;ti o'clock litis nioruin;/. .Mrs Kowan was sh opine ups'airs. a Id tin' three hoarders downstanrs. Two of Ihe hoarders. I,'obinson and Smith. ntslied tip-fairs to ue! Mrs I,'owau ini. and nohinson had her outside the door of her bedroom wiicn Smith arrived. Smil h I hen tool; her on to (he hale; nv end called for a ladder, which Simps.m eventually broii<.ht. and Mi's liowam who wa.s then in a slate of collapse, was eni, ied to safely. in the meantime, it appears, nohinson dashed downstairs, and was overcome by ihe smoke, for his charred remains were found this nioniim.: n i ihe door of his hedi'oor,i. which was a from room downstairs, and onlv a yard or two from the front cut ranee. The orie.in of the lire is unknown. The brigade arrived on the scene as soon a- the alarm was e.iveu. lan the foreman stales t hat t her,- was ih. u a . chance of si viiiy anything, as the win do house w;ts a bla/.ine, inferno. The occupants s;tved nothiii;:. Mrs llowan c.-caped in her nightdress, and Smith and Simpson in their trousers and shirts. The insurances are not available. Mr 'l'. Rowan, owner of the 'louse, was away in Auckland v. lieu the (ire occurred.