FATAL FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9497, 28 April 1894, Page 5

FATAL FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

A BOY BURNED TO DEATH. [BY telegraph.— press association.] Christchorch, Friday. Shortly after midnight a fire broke out in a seven-roomed, two-story building occupied by Mr. Strong, librarian of the Public Library. The inmates consisted of Mr. Strong, his wife, seven children, and a servant. The children were rescued by being thrown out of the upstairs windows into the arms of the police. After the fire had been burning some time it was discovered that a boy, nine years of ago, was missing. He was sleeping in the southern side of the building and had been forgotten. The brigade turned their attention to this side of the house and succeeded in subduing.the flumes sufficiently for a search of the room to be made. The unfortunate lad was found lying in a corner dead and badly burned. He had evidently made an attempt to escape and had been suffocated. The brigade had great difficulty in saving the Public Library, which was only ten feet away from the house. Strong's furniture and effects were insured in the Victoria Office for £300. The building is the property of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College. At the inquest on the body of the boy Strong the evidence of the police was that on their arrival at the fire they were told all the children were out. Had they known the boy was then inside the building he could have been saved. When it was known that the lad was still in the house it was too late to take any steps for his rescue. A verdict of "Accidentally burned to death," was returned.