SHOCKING FATALITIES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1249, 6 February 1896, Page 38

SHOCKING FATALITIES.

_ Chrjstchurch, January 30. A fire, which resulted in the burning to death of four children of Mr George Truman, of Balcairn, occurred fast night. The children, who met their death in such a shocking manner, are : —Hilda Winifred, aged nine ; Mabel Kleanor, aged eight; Elizabeth Mary, aged four; and James Gilbert, aged three. They slept upstairs in one bed. The house took fire at about 10 o'clock. Truman had gone to a neighbour's house, and shortly afterwards he heard his wife screaming.

He returned with two neighbours, and found Mrs Truman outside the house and the upstairs rooms on fire. He tried to get upstairs, and in by a window, but could not, and the stairs and top part of the house soon fell in.

Two children who slept downstairs were saved by the mother, who was severely burned about the arms. The house was an old one of wood, with an iron and shinjle roof. The fire is thought to have been caused by a defective chimney. The house Avas insured for <£l3o in the Alliance office. Truman's father and brother were burned to death at Waikari nine or ten 3'eara ago. Auckland, January 31. Maunder's boardinghouse, Uotorua, was burned down this morning. One man named Farrell was burned to death, and four others badly injured. Harry Miller, one of the injured men, hus been taken to the Waikato Hospital. Farrell, who was burned to death, was in the employment of Ally, coachbuilder. He came from Te Puke, Tauranga^^

Ross, one of thoso seriously burned, came from Tauranga. He has friends in Diinedin. The injuries received by Miles are not considered serious.