BURNED TO DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1923, Page 4

BURNED TO DEATH.

DETAILS OF NELSON 1-IRE,

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Nelson, Feb. 7

In connection with the Ligar Bay fire tragedy, definite details show tliat the fire occurred at daylight, not during the night. Thomas Organ lit a. fire in the kitchen stove and went out to milk shortly after six in the morning. A howling gale was blowing at the time. The cowshed was 7()yds. away, and a quarter of an hour after Organ notie cd the house in flames. Ho rushed home too late to save the victims. John Gillyard, aged 70, and a 5-year-old daughter of Organ’s slept in a room downstairs adjoining the kitchen, organ and two younger children wore also downstairs, but further away. Mrs. Organ got out with two infants and made for a side window where (B'lyucd and the eldest girl slept. Gillyard camo to the window and exclaimed; “Oh, my God!” Ho went back into the room and this was the last seen of him alive.

The bodies of Gillyard and the girl were found together charred to cinders. The old man was evidently dazed, but endeavoured to rescue the girl and both succumbed to the flames.

The building was over 40 years old and very dry. The gale had blown the live embers into the room and the whole place was ablaze in a few minutes. Gillyard came originally from the West Coaet.