A TRAGIC FIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22256, 8 May 1934, Page 8

A TRAGIC FIRE

TWO WOMEN PERISH NEIGHBOUR ARRIVES TOO LATE (Per United Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE. May 7. A double tragedy occurred about 8.30 last night at Bloomfield, near Ti-Treo Point, when a well-known settler, Mrs Ellen Franklin, aged 76, and her companion, Miss Smaile, aged about 40, perished in a fire which destroyed the house they occupied. The fire was discovered by a neighbour named Cburcbhouso, who lives opposite. He hurried to the house, which was situated on the hill about 300 yards from tbo road, and gained entry to Mrs Franklin’s bedroom, but failed to discover her. He was unable to gain access to any other part of the building owing to the raging flames and intense Smoke, and nothing further could be done to help. This morning the bodies of Mrs Franklin and Miss Smaile were found lying In the passage-way, one at either end. The former, who was a widow, had resided in the house in which she met her death for the past 46 years, and had lived her life in Wairarapa, Hcrbertville, and Wimbledon before taking up residence at Bloomfield. Miss Smaile had not long been in her present position, having come here from Auckland. She is believed to have a sistei residing at Wanganui. Mrs Franklin leaves a family of five sons (all well-known settlers) and a married daughter (Mrs Young), residing at Woodville.