AUCKLAND FIRE TRAGEDY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 7 August 1941, Page 3

AUCKLAND FIRE TRAGEDY

HUSBAND’S STORY EFFORTS TO ESCAPE Auckland, Any. (>. Al. the inquest into the death of Mrs j Grace Lord, aged 20 years, who was a ! victim of the lire tragedy at Ward Ter—i race. Sandringham, the husband told a j tragic story. The coroner, Mr F. K. I Hunt, opened the inquest. He said j that when he and his wife retired at 11 o'clock a coke fire was still burning slightly in the breakfast-room grate. The bedroom was alongside the breakfast-room. "I was awakened by a crackling noise and found the room full of smoke,” he said in evidence. “The ceiling, blinds and curtains were burning fiercely. I jumped out of bed and pulled on the light switch but the light would not come on. On going to the bedroom door I found the hall full of smoke. I aroused my wife who was fast asleep. We were both nearly suffocated by smoke. I helped my wife to the front door, but found that the lock had slipped and I was unable to open the door. I attempted to get out of the house through a spare room and out of a window. 1 told my wife to wait in the passage by the door of the spare room so as to be ready to follow me when I got the window up. I got to the window and opened it, and then heard my wife call. When I called back to her I received no answer. So 1 returned to the hall, which was a mass of flames. I was choking and had to get out of the house to get my breath. I did not see my wife again. Neighbours’ efforts to enter the house were unavailing because of the flames. Because my wife was found in the bedroom I am of the opinion that she returned there to get some clothes and was overcome by the smoke and flames.’’ The inquest was adjourned sine die.