SECOND EDITION. BURNED TO DEATH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16628, 23 April 1928, Page 8

SECOND EDITION. BURNED TO DEATH

BROTHER AND SISTER TRAGEDY AT WAITUNA (Per Press Association.) WAIMATE, this clay. A brother and sister were binned to death early on Sunday morning when their home, situated at Waitviha, was demolished by fire, another brother narrowly escaping a similar fate. The deceased are l'rancis John O'Brien, 68, single, and Freda Bertha O'Brien, 59, single. The mail who escaped—just before the roof fell in, by clambering through a window—was Ernest James O'Brien, 57, single. The house, which was a landmark, having been erected for over 50 years, was reduced to nothing but cinders and twisted' iron. One chimney is all that remains standing. The survivor. Ernest James O'Brien, awoke about 6 a.m. to find his room full of smoke. Realising the position instantly, he got out of bod and rushed to warn the other two occupants of the house, but the way to their rooms was blocked by the flames. He shouted to awaken his.brother, but- received no reply. He rushed back info his room, grabbed a few clothes and jumped out of the window. Rushing round the house, he shouted to his sister at her window and just as he received a reply the red hot roof fell in. The charred remains of the brother and sister \v\;ro later recoveredv As his watch and braces were found on the remains of* Francis John it is surmised that lie returned home tired and weary late on Saturday night, and lay down on his bed fully clothed and fell asleep, leaving burning a kerosene lamp or candle. This, it.is considered, may have been the agent responsible for the fire. An inquest will be held on the victims this afternoon.