FIREMEN PRAISED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 1 December 1938, Page 11

FIREMEN PRAISED

FATAL AUCKLAND FIRE INQUEST ON VICTIMS AUCKLAND, 30th November. Evidence that firemen had rescued all persons from the burning building including three unconscious men on the upper floor, within four minutes of receiving the call was given by George Alexander McKenzie, deputy-superin-tendent of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, at the inquest into the deaths of two men in the fire at 117 Grey’s Avenue on 7th November. Those who lost their lives were John Jennir.gs Hiley, printer and gardener, aged 72, single, and John Taylor McDougall, known as Jack McDonald, labourer, aged 41, a single man. A Maori, Kiti Rangi, said he occupied a room in the house with his wife and two children. His wife was out on the night of the fire. He put the children to bed, and after they seemed to be asleep he went to bed. He put the candle out and put it on the floor near the bed. Witness said he woke to hear the roar of flames in the room and found his little boy trying to waken him. He carried the children outside and woke the other residents. He did not know how the fire had begun unless the children had been playing with matches which he left on the table. From inquiries made the identity of the man known as McDonald had been definitely established as John Taylor McDonald, said Sergeant Miller. He had relatives in Timaru and a sister in Auckland. In returning verdicts that the deaths were due to shock and suffocation, in accordance with the medical evidence, the coroner commended the brigade on its prompt work.