PERISHED IN FIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 4

PERISHED IN FIRE

MEOTAL HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE SEASIDE BACH DESTROYED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. After fire had completely destroyed a bach at Titahi Bay last night, the charred remains of Miss Mary Currie, aged 45, a single woman who was head laundress at the Porirua Mental Hospital, were discovered. Miss Currie occupied the bach together with Miss Finlayson, who also works at the institution, and who was on duty at the time of the tragedy. The outbreak was discovered at about 11.30 p.m. by Mr Thorne George, who resides nearby, but the flames had a good hold, and the bach was destroyed. Judging from the position of the body the victim was in the living room when the fire occurred. So far as is known she had no relatives in New Zealand, but an aged father lives in Scotland. She came to New Zealand about 20 years ago.

It is reported that an escaped inmate of the mental hospital, who has since been located by the authorities, was allegedly found after the fire to be in possession of several articles from the bach.