BURNED TO DEATH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 336, 23 April 1928, Page 1

BURNED TO DEATH

Brother and Sister Perish CHARRED REMAINS RECOVERED Waimate Landmark Destroyed Press Association, WAIMATE, To-day. ABROTHEB and sister were burned to death early on Sunday morning when their home, at Waituna, was demolished by fire. Another brother narrowly escaped a similar fate.

The deceased are: Francis John O’Brien, a single man, aged 68. Freda Bertha O’Brien, single, aged 59. The man who escaped just before the roof fell in, by clambering through a window, was Ernest James O’Brien, single, aged 57. The house, which was a landmark, having been erected over 50 years ago, was reduced to cinders and twisted iron. One chimney is all that remains standing. The survivor, Ernest O’Brien, awoke about 6 a.m. to find his room full of smoke. Realising the position instantly, he got out of bed and rushed to warn the other two occupants of the house, but the way to their rooms

was blocked by flames. He shouted to awaken his brother, but received no reply. He rushed back into his bedroom, grabbed a few clothes, and jumped out of the window. Rushing round the house, he shouted to his sister at her window, but just as he received a reply the red-hot roof fell in. The charred remains of the brother and sister 'Were later recovered. It is surmised that Francis O’Brien returned home very tired, late on Saturday night, lay down on his bed fully clothed, and fell asleep, leaving a kerosene lamp 'or candle burning. This may have been responsible for the fire. An inquest on the victims opened this afternoon.