SENSATIONAL FIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11302, 30 August 1922, Page 5

SENSATIONAL FIRE

BLAZE ON GBAL HULK KEEPER’S FAMILY SUFFER SEVERELY FROM BURNS. S' NARROW ESCAPE. , A narrow escape from serious injury or even death was experienced shortly after 7 o'clock last- evening, by the keeper of the Union Steam Snip Company’s iron coal hulk Coronation, F. S. Todd, fits wile, and three young sons, owing to a lire breaking out in the vessel’s kitchen and threatening to cut off their exit. Mrs Todd and all three boys suffered burns more or less severe, and two of the latter were detained in the hospital for treatment. The Coronation was berthed at the Railway "Wharf when the fire occurred. From an account given to a “New Zealand Times” representative by Todd, it appears that he and his family were sitting round the kitchen table, just having finished their tea, when a fibre mattress which was drying before the fire caught alight ; through an ember failing on it. The mattress immediately blazed up, and the occupants had to pass the flames to get out through the doorway. Tho ports were closed for privacy, and the heat o\f the fire expanding the air in the kitchen held the door so tight that, although Todd is a powerful man, it took all his energies to pull tho door open. Todd picked up the two younger sons, aged 14 years and 11 years, and followed by the oldest son, aged 16 years, and Mrs Todd, managed to get out through the doorway, and gain the upper "deck. All received burns excepting Mr Todd, as they dashed past the blazing mattress. Todd then ehut fche ■Hoor, and the fire brigade was summoned by a wharf alarm. The call was received at the Central Fire Station at 7.11 p.m., and a motor-reel was promptly sent to the scene.. The brigadesmen tackled the fire w’ith a hand chemical machine, and the flames were quickly suppressed. The kitchen and contents were damaged by the fire, the contents being more severely affected. The Harbour Board motor ambulance, in the meanwhile, had responded to a call, and the three boye were hurried to the Queen’s Wharf tolls office, where they received first aid, their burns being carefully dressed. Then they were taken to the hospital. As the youngest boy, aged 11 years, had oniy slight burns on the face and his hair singed, he was not detained at the hospital, but was taken back to the'Coromandel.' The other two lads were admitted to the hospital at 8.15 p7m.i Mahwata Todd, aged 14 years, had both arms and legs badly blistered, and was suffering from shock. His case was the most severe. George Todd, aged 16 years, was burnt about tho face and left arm. He is expected to be able to leave the hospital to-day, but ’his brother will be detained for a few days. Besides her hair being considerably singed, Mrs Todd had her arms very painfully scorched, so medical aid was called. *Dr McEvedy went down* to the hulk, and treated her injuries, which were aggravated b shook.

MF* Todd expressed the opinion to the “New Zealand Times” representative that if he had not been there to pull the Roor open there would have been little chance of any of his family escaping. The door usually fits too loosely, and it surprised Todd to find it jammed. There was no water in the kitchen to throw on the flames, the only water supply being up on deck.