ORIENTAL BAY TRAGEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17433, 4 December 1930, Page 13

ORIENTAL BAY TRAGEDY

TRAPPED BY FLAMES WOMAN’S BATTLE TOE LIFE (For Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The victim of the Oriental Bay lire is Mrs. Ellen Watson, aged 07 years. Actually she collapsed near an open window after a desperate attempt bad been made to get out, and her dead body was found by the brigade after the (lames were got under control. It is surmised that she lost her sense of direction groping through the smoke, and she appeared at the bathroom window crying for help. A courageous attempt to rescue, her was made by several boarders. A ladder was placed on the kitchen landing, but it proved too short. A younger person than the deceased might have been able to reach it. in regard to the injured man, it is stated that lie returned to his room to get some papers. He is suffering from head injuries, burns, and Shock. The house was severely damaged by fire and water. It was insured in the Alliance office for £ISOO. Airs. Watson had a cover of £3OO on her furniture. Part of the house was occupied by Miss Aubrey, whose furniture is insured with the Eagle Star and Dominion’s office. The deceased was the widow of Air. George Watson, formerly the City Council’s chief sanitary inspector,