THREE CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5998, 7 February 1881, Page 5

THREE CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Sunday. \ fire, attended with fatal results, occurred at Newton at 10 o'clock last night. The house, occupied by Mr. Chas. Whittington, a driver, was destroyed, and his three children—Herbert Christopher Whittington, Sarah Olive Whittington, and Millie Whittington, aged six years, three years, and ten months respectively—were burned to death. Mrs. Whittington put the children to bed early, and came to town, her husband remaining in the house. He left the buildin" about an hour later to meet his wife on her return and when near the house there was a strong smell of fire. Mr. Whittington ran to the house, and discovered the back portion of it on fire. He gained admission, but was unable to reach the children. The fire by this time had a firm hold, and all efforts to rescue the inmates were unavailing. Great excitement prevailed among the spectators when it was known that the children were in the burning building. Mr. Whittington states that everything was safe when he left, and that .110 lights were left burning, and but a few sticks of wood were burning in the kitchen fireplace. It is not known how the fire originated, but it is thought it must have been caused by the fire in the kitchen. The remains of the children were found at midnight. The boy was not much burned. Only the trunk of the eldest girl was found, and nearly all traces of the infant were destroyed by the fire. Wliittin<rton saved nothing, and, being uninsured, is a heavy loser. The building, which was totally consumed, was owned by Mr. Sutherland, and. it is not known if it wan insured.