A LYTTELTON TRAGEDY

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 9

A LYTTELTON TRAGEDY

EIRE CAUSES DEATH OF TWO CHILDREN. CONSTABLE'S PLUCKY ACTION. CHRISTCHURCH, September 27. Olive- and Maida Dodds, aged respectively 10 and four years, daughters of Mr D. ft. Dodds, London street, . Lyttelton, were burned to death to-night. Air Dodds carries on the business of a clothier in the street mentioned, and he lived on the premises. He and his wife were absent from home at the time of the outbreak. When the fire was first noticed a thick smoke was coming from the rear of the building, but almost immediately the whole of tha shop broke into flames. One child was actually seen at an upstairs window, and Constable Baines, who was proceeding on duly, made his way up on the verandah post, and entered tire building, but unfortunately lie was directed to the wrong window, and after groping around inside was overcome by smoke, and collapsed. He was rescued by Edward Lester, and removed to the Police Station for medical attention Directly the fire brigade got to work another entrance was made, and tha bodies recovered. The elder girl had been burnt and tho younger one suffocated.