FIVE LIVES LOST

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24250, 16 April 1942, Page 6

FIVE LIVES LOST

BURNED TO DEATH MOTHER AND CHILDREN FIRE DESTROYS COTTAGE AN ASHBURTON TRAGEDY (0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday While Mr. William S. Clifton, a shepherd employed on the Mid-Canterbury sheep station of Mount Hutt was 20 miles away, his wife and four young children were burned to death in a bedroom of their cottage at Alford Forest, Ashburton County, last evening at about eight o'clock. The victims were:— Mrs. Doris Emllie Clifton, aged 27. Leslie William Clifton, aged five. Molly Enid Clifton, aged four. Valmai Doris Clifton, aged two. John Robert Clifton, aged one year and five months. The family occupied a small house near a road. It was their practice to retire early and apparently all were asleep in a room at the back of the cottage when it was swept by fire. The outbreak was discovered by the parents of Mrs. Clifton, Mr. and Mrs. R. Pawsey, who live near by, and Mr. George Clifton, accompanied by Mr. J. J. Harman, went to investigate. After trying all the doors and windows, the men came to the conclusion that Mrs. Clifton and the children had not left the house, which by then was burning fiercely. Mr. Clifton broke a window, but flames poured out of the opening and forced the men back. There was no possibility then of a rescue being effected in time, for the fire was being fanned by a high wind, and the dwelling was quickly reduced to ashes. The bereaved husband and father was advised of the tragedy by Constable J. J. Paddy, of Methven. Later, the five bodies were recovered from one room, all being unrecognisable. Evidence of identification was given before the coroner, Mr. E. C. Bathurst, this evening.