A FATAL FIRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10035, 28 April 1894, Page 2

A FATAL FIRE.

(Peb United Peess Association.)

CnEiSTCinjBCH, April 27,

Shortly after midnight a fire broke out in a seven-roomed twestorey building occupied by Mr Strong, librarian of the Public Library. The inmates consisted of Mr Strong, his wife; seven children, and servant. The children were rescued by being thrown out of the upstairs windows into the arms of the police. After the lire had been burning for some time it was discovered that a boy nine years of age was missing. He had been sleeping in the southern side of the building, and had been forgotten._ The brigade turned their attention to this side of the house,- and succeeded in subduing the flames sufficiently for a search of the room to be made. The unfortuuato lad .was then found lying.in a corner dead and badly burned. He had evidently made an attempt to escape and had been suffocated. The brigade had great difficulty in saving the Public Library, which was only 10ft away from the house. Mr Strong's furniture and tffects were insured in the Victoria Office for £300. The building was the property of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College.

At the inquest the police evidence was to the effect that on arrival at the fire they were told all the children were out. Had they known a boy was then inside the building he could have been saved. When it was known that the lad was still in the house it was too late to take any steps for his rescue. A verdict of "Accidentally burned to death " was returned.