Prompt Action Saves Life of Invalid Woman

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26607, 1 November 1947, Page 6

Prompt Action Saves Life of Invalid Woman

Prompt action by five men saved a woman’s life yesterday afternoon when a six-roomed house caught fire at Evansdale at about 4 o’clock. The woman, Mrs George Ireland, wh6 is an invalid, was asleep in the room adjoining the part of the house where the fire obtained its strongest hold, and her two young children would not have been able to carry her out. The men, who were plasterers and bricklayers in the employ of a Dunedin firm carrying out a contract at Evansdale, were engaged at their work when they saw flames leaping from the house, which was some distance away. Grabbing several of the buckets they were using, they ran to the scene and, while Mrs Ireland was being helped outside, the other menorganised a bucket relay from the water tanks. The fire, which was gradually brought under control, was finally quelled alter it had gutted one room and damaged others. Part of the house, however, was still habitable. It is not known exactly how the fire started, but it is thought that the younger child might have been playing with matches, and set a couch on the front veranda on fire. The older, child was asleep in the rear of the house, while Mr Ireland, the owner, was absent at his work as a contractor. The resident who informed the Daily Times of the fire said the men had effected a fine save, and had done a sterling job.