DEATH IN FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21794, 8 May 1934, Page 10

DEATH IN FIRE

FATE OF TWO WOMEN OLD HOMESTEAD BURNED NEIGHBOUR'S VAIN SEARCH DRIVEN BACK BY FLAMES [riv TEI/RGIIAI'IT —OWN* CORRKSPONIJK NT] DANNEVIRKE, Monday A tragedy occurred last evening shortly after eight o'clock, two women perishing when a single-storey wooden house about two miles from Ti-tree Point, on the main road from Dannevirkc to the East Coast, 'was destroyed by fire. The victims were: Mrs. Ellen Franklin, aged 76, widow of the late Mr. Robert Franklin. Miss Smale, aged about 40, her housekeeper, a former resident of Auckland. Tho two women were the only occupant.* of the house. Mrs. Franklin had lived in the house for the past 46 years, while Miss Smale was a comparatively recent arrival. The homestead stood on a. hill about 300 yards back from the main road and was a well-known landmark of the district. The place was named Bloomfield. Origin of Outbreak Unknown How the fire occurred or why the occupants were unable to make their exit is not known. There were ample means of escape, but the presumption is that the two women were overcome by smoke. On account of its age, the house burned fiercely. When the fire was first noticed by a neighbour, Mr. Churchhouse, residing on the opposite side of the road, he hurried to the sceno and succeeded in gaining entranco to Mrs. Franklin's bedroom, only to discover she was not there. Further search of the interior was impossible, as the whole building was burning fiercely, and nothing could bo done. At that time it was not known whether tho occupants had mado their escape, but this morning a search of tho ruins was made, and the bodies of both women were discovered in a passage-way, one at either end. Whether they had been together and became separated or made individual attempts to leavo the building is a matter of conjecture. Roof Seen to Collapse Olio settler who saw the reflection of the fire some distance away arrived in time to see tho roof collapse. A son of Mrs. Franklin, and also an employee on tho farm, resided in a small cottage about 100 yards from tho homestead block. They were in bed and asleep at the time and were not aware of what was happening until they wero aroused by tills settlor. Mrs Franklin and her family are well known in the district. In spite of her age, Mrs. Franklin had enjoyed excellent health up to her death. She spent her girlhood in Wairarapa. After her marriage slio lived at Wimbledon and Herbertville before taking up her residence at Ti-tree Point. Her eldest son, Mr. James Robert Franklin, lives at Wanganui. Three other sons, Messrs. L<\ C. Franklin, C. J. Franklin and W. G. Franklin, reside in the Ti-tree Point district, while a married daughter, Mrs. A. I). Young, lives at Woodville. Miss Smale is believed to have a married sister residing in Wanganui.