FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7342, 5 December 1884, Page 5

FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE.

THREE CHILDREN BURNT TO HEATH,

Auckland, November 8. An inquest was held at Cambridge yesterday on the bodies of three children burnt to death on the previous day in a but near Cambridge, namely, James Osborne, aged four years ; Juliette Alice Osborne, two years ; and Agnes Mary Osborne, five months. The jury re* turned a verdict of accidental death. It appeared from the evidence that the mother left tho house about 1 o’clock to go to Cambridge to do some shopping, leaving three children at home. The infant was locked up in a bedroom by itself, and other two were shut up in the kitchen. Her object in so doing was that they should not go to the river, a few chains distant. Her husband, who was working in a paddock a quarter of a mile away, noticed smoke issuing from the bouse, and accompanied by John Arnold, procetded to the spot. He entered the house, and after feeling about on tho fljor was compelled to retire half suffocated. After another futuile attempt to

enter, the house collapsed, a burning mass. Thinking that his wife might have the children with her, he went up to town and met her returning, she having heard meanwhile that her house was on tire, " The remains were found by the police, but were unrecognisable The cause of the fire is unknown, bat it is believed the boy got hold of the matches, and being in the habit of striking them set fire to his clothes or some paper. Osborne lost his all by the fire, and a subscription of £6O has been raised for him.