TRAGIC FIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26228, 12 August 1946, Page 6

TRAGIC FIRE

SEVEN BURNED TO DEATH INQUEST PROCEEDINGS (Special) AUCKLAND, Aug. 11. An inquest into the deaths of Mrs Rona Georgina Gasson aged 28, and her six children, who lost their lives when the - cottage they occupied at Taumangi, Putaruru, was destroyed by fire in the early hours of July 28, was held recently. Roy Gasson. aged 33, logging contractor, husband of Mrs Gasson and father of the children, said he was aroused from sleep by a terrific heat. He saw flames coming across the ceiling of his bedroom and down the wall at the head of the bed. He shouted to his wife and pulled her partly out of bed. He thought she was awake as she was half sitting up. Witness requested his wife to bring the baby with her and follow him. He then lumped out of the window, which was Bft above the ground.

. Driven Back by Flames Witness said he was anxious to get to the other children and expected his wife to follow him. He ran round to the back of the house and got into the kitchen. The flames, however, came over his head and he could only proceed a few feet. He was shouting out all the time. He did not hear any of the children speak. He tried to kick down the door. He then used an axe on it, but the flames stopped him. He broke open a window with his fist and was driven back by the flames. ' Witness then went round to the front expecting to see his wife and baby on the lawn. They were not there. He then got his car, blew the horn, and roared the engine to attract attention and he called out for help. He went to a neighbour. Mr F. D. Ward, for help. Witness said his wife and family were in good health and they were on the best of terms on the night before the fire. • Coroner’s Sympathy Frank Douglas' Ward, farmer, Taumangi, said the Gassons had been neighbours of his for four years. Mrs Gasson was devoted to her children. There was no sign of fire when he passed the cottage at 11 p.m. on July 27. Witness was awakened at 5.20 a.m. next day by the sounding of a motor horn. He heard Mr Gasson calling out. He was in great distress and had to be restrained. The cottage was enveloped in flames and had collapsed. It was not possible to get anyone out and no one in the cottage could have been alive then. Gasson was a hardworking man and was devoted to his family. The coroner returned a verdict that Mrs Gasson and her family were entrapped by flames and burned to death when the cottage accidentally caught Are and was burned to the ground.