TRAGIC FIRE IN SYDNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 11

TRAGIC FIRE IN SYDNEY.

TWO WOMEN TRAPPED.

DAUGHTER'S LEAP TO DEATH.

FIREMAN RESCUES MOTHER.

REACHES HER THROUGH ROOF.

By Telegraph—Press Association—ICopyright. 1 Copyright. (Received Juno 30, 11.55 p.m.) • , SYDNEY. June 80. A tragic firei occurred this evening ui Batliurst Street.' in. the busiest part of Sydney,' whilo city people were leaving business for tlieir homes.

The fire originated in the fourth storey of Vauxhsll Chambers "The premises wero well alight when suddenly the caretaker's wife and daughter. Mrs. Miller, aged 49, and Miss. Rosalie Miller, nged 19, appeared at a fifth ■Storey window shrieking hysterically for help- . The firemen, who were promptly on tho sceno, observed the. women's clothing and hair alight and decided to hold -out a large canvas tarpaulin for them to juinp into. Miss Miller either leapt or fell like a living torch.- Unfortunately sho struck a projection which deflected her descent and she landed on tho edge of the tarpaulin and struck tho street heavily after a drop of 70ft. She died a few minutes later.

Mrs. Miller was courageously rescued by Fireman Lind, who gained access into the burning building through the roof. She is now in hospital in a critical condition.

The tragic affair was witnessed by thou sands of citizens. The wife of the caretaker of the adjoining building said she saw the mother and daughter on firo from head to foot clinging to one another in the bathroom. Apparently they had been driven there when the flames beneath them cut off their retreat.

Tho narrator said she saw people in a, neighbouring building trying to throw ropes to Mrs. and Miss Miller, but none was sufficiently long to reach them.

The fourth and fifth stories of Vauxhall Chambers were gutted.