SHOCKING TRAGEDIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5651, 27 December 1879, Page 7

SHOCKING TRAGEDIES.

The Russian Courier reports a shocking disaster from Volodarock, in the Government of Kieff. A Jewish boy had been ordered to fetch Bome kerosine from a barrel that stood in on outhouse. The barrel contained nearly twenty vedro of this dangerous oil. After filling his oil-can, the boy attempted to turn the tap of the barrel by the help of a candlcstickin which there was a lighted candle. In doing so, however, the light fell from the oandlestik into the oilcan, instantly kindling the kerosine. The boy tied fn terror, overturning the can in his flight. The flames rapidly spread, and the people in the house, followed by neighbours, ran up to the scene of the conflagration. Some of the crowd were atteinptiug to eet the barrel of kerosine iot> the Gpen ait, when an ex-plosion occurred, covering everybody who was near with the burning oil. These, unfortunate persons rushed from the outhouse among the crowd which had collected outside, and thus set many of their clothes on fire. Altogether there were thirty-seven persons attacked by the llames, of whom eighteen died, while there was little hope for many others. Another terrible calamity from fire took place at Lai.sheff, in the Kasan Government. The son of a peasant waa celebrating his wedding, and, according to the custom, at night, alter the conclusion of the festivities, the newly-wedded pair were conducted to their chamber and locked in by the best man. The latter soon afterwards retired to rest with the of the company, who were all "strongly alcoholised." At 4 hreein the morning fire outinthehouse, and the intoxicated inmates were all burnt to the death, with the exception of the father of bridegroom. It was found that the newlymarried couple had managed to open the door of their chamber, but were unable to penetrate through the sea of fire which then surrounded them. On the extinction of the fire, their corpses were found near each other, partially burnt to ashes.