MAN BURNED TO DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21540, 11 July 1933, Page 8

MAN BURNED TO DEATH

THE TAPU'. HOTEL FATALITY EVIDENCE AT INQUEST [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] THAMES, llondny An inquest " was held to-day before the coroner, Mr. W. Bongard, into the death of Mr. James Bennett Ludwig, victim of the fire at,the Royal Oak Hotel, Tapu, : yesterday morning. L. M. Parry, the licenseo of the hotel, gave evidence that he and his wife retired at about midnight on, Saturday to the cottage adjoining ' the hotel. , There was only a small fire left burn- 7 ing in the commercial room of the hotel. The two persons boarding, at the hotel, deceased and Mr. Leonard Francis Flynn, went to bed about the same time. Witness was awakened by a report, which sounded like glass falling on the concrete path. He got up and saw the building was on fire. Witness said he shouted to awaken the boarders. He then went back, roused his wife and child and got them out of the cottage. Flames and smoke were then bursting out of the upstairs windows. Witness described how he went, up the back stairs of the hotel and brought Mr. Flynn out. He then went back for Mr. Ludwig, but the flames were too hot and he received minor burns. As Mr. Flynn, who endeavoured to .rescue Mr. Ludwig, is still in hospital he was unable to give evidence and tha inquest was adjourned sine die. The police evidence showed that deceased's charred body was found under the position where Ill's bedroom had been. ' /