FATAL CONVENT FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 8

FATAL CONVENT FIRE.

'ALL THE CHILDREN SAVED.

HEROIC SISTER'S DEATH.

TRAPPED AFTER RESCUE WORK.

'A serious firo, attended by loss of life, fcroko out in the east wing of St. Patrick's Convalescent Home—familiarly known as St. Patrick's Convent—Hayling Island, near Portsmouth, in the early hours of August 9. Fifty-eight children, whoso ages ranged from six to 14, oight sisters and three or four maids, were asleep in the house at the timo, but, with one exception, all were saved, as tho result of the prompt action of a sister who, hearing a sound of crackling in her bedroom, went to hor window, saw tho glow of flames, and ran round in tho dark giving tho alarm. Tho victim was Sister Celestine Harrington, who was acting as Reverend Mother Superior. It is believed that she lost her lifo by hor devotion. Her body was found on the first floor, near tho chapel. One theory is that, after tho children had been rescued—she helped tho other Sisters in getting them out—she returned to satisfy -herself that no ono was left in the building; another is that sho may havo mado an attompt to enter tho chapol to eavo tho Sacrament. Flames Mazed above the chapel and on ono side of it, but tho building itself escaped damage. - The firo originated in a workroom in tho east wing of tho building, which is on tho sea front and commands a view of Spithoad. When tho outbreak was discovered tho Sisters ran to tho little ones sleeping in the wing above the firo and promptly took them out of the building. Happily, tho children were accustomed to fire drill and all were conducted in orderly fashion to tho spacious grounds in which tho homo stands before the arrival of tho firo brigades from Havant and Portsmouth. Not ono of thorn was hurt, and there was no sign.'of panic. The Cross on the Wall. It "was then discovered that Sister Celestine was missing, and a search was mado with tho tragic result stated. Tho firemen played on tho building for eeven hours and succeeded in confining the flames to tho east wing, only tho .walls of which were left standing. Many people regarded as a coincidence the fact that in three or four of the bedrooms pictures, of Christ remained undamaged. A crucifix hung in a room in which tho walls were blackened by smoke. When it was removed a clear impression of the Cross was left on the wall. Father J. McGuckin, priest in charge of tho home, paid a high tribute to the bravery and self-sacrifice of tho nuns. " They did wonderful work to get all tho children out unharmed," he said.

Mrs. Marshall, wife of Mr. John F. Marshall, director of the British Mosquito Control Institute at Hayling Island, to whoso hou3o soitjo of the rescued children ■were taken, said that the sisters wore bravo and cool. Their influence over the children was wonderful.

One of tho Sisters, who had shown great heroism, said: "Wo had to fight desperately to save some of the little ones. We were so full of thankfulness when we had found we had saved them all and that not one was even hurt; but it was a dreadful blow when we found that poor Sister Celestine was missing. Sho was so good and kind, and the children simply loved her." Discovery ol Sister's Body.

A fireman stated that when they got near the chapel they saw Sister Celestine's body lying near the threshold. She had been burned to death. Sister Celestine's homo was in Ireland. Sho had been in England for 25 years, and had been at Hayling Island about 18 months. St. Patrick's Home is one of 30 spread over the country belonging to the Order of Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, with headquarters at Chigwcll Convent, Woodford Bridge, JDssex. 'lhe order is known for its charitable work nnd its care for delicate children from poorer parts of big cities. St. Patrick's was accommodating a number of children from London elementary schools during their holiday. The building is of tho Italian Renaissance period, and was built about 1860 by Mr. G. G. Sandeman, who used it as ft private residence for many years. Later it;was converted into a hotel and more recently was used as a girls' school. It waS taken over by the authorities of the community 18 months ago.