WOMAN'S HEROISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15514, 22 January 1914, Page 8

WOMAN'S HEROISM.

ATTEMPT TO SAVE HOME,

INCIDENT OF BUSH FIRES

[HT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Christchtjbch, Wednesday. An' example of a woman's heroio conduct and endurance during the forest fires which raged in Southland last week has just been recorded. Mrs. Mark Riddell fought for between five and six hours to try to save her home and effects from destruction at Orepuki.

Her husband, who x works at a sawmill several miles from where he has settled down, left early, and as there was a small patch cleared all round the house he had no feair of trouble from the stumps smouldering. However, every bit of wood about the place took fire, and showered sparks upon the house. Nearly blinded by the smoke, Mrs. Riddell stuck to her task, putting water on the stumps and logs here and there. She had five young children to watch, the eldest only eight. The little ones did what they could, as their blistered hands and arms show.

Mrs. Riddoll's clothos several times caught firo, and it could be imagined what a grim battle she had at that lonely bush. But her efforts were in vain. The house caught fire and went so quickly that nothing could bo saved, except a sewing machine. The fire, which had travelled over a mile, came leaping through the pen bush. Taking two of her little ones "'her arms and dragging the others, Mrs. Riddell went into the bush, up the hill, until she got out of the track of the flames. After several hours she was making her way out when she was met by Mr. Brooks, who said afterwards that it was a mystery how she got away from the fire with the live children. It was an example of the irony of fate that Mr. Riddoll should bo fire-fighting in another part of the district at the time. He actually put a fire out, preventing it from reaching a house, and thus saving tho place. There was no insurance on his house. A subscription list has been opened to assist the family.