DEATH OVER GAS HEATER

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1930, Page 11

DEATH OVER GAS HEATER

TOTAL LACK OF VENTILATION

DANGER SHOWN AT AUCKLAND.

SON-IN-LAWS GRIM DISCOVERY.

By Tslwftph.—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night. That grave danger to life would exist when a gas radiator was burned in a small unventilated room was an opinion expressed by an inspector of the Auckland Gas Company at an inquest opened before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., to-day concerning the death of James Ebenezer Kimm, a tailor aged 78 who died at the Auckland hospital on July 12. Kimm and his wife were admitted to hospital on Saturday morning, presumably suffer-, ing from the effects of asphyxiation by gas. The inspector said he had examined the room in which the couple were found. There was; no escape of gas from the heater, which had five burners and was in good order. \ Ample ventilation was essential, said witness, who stated that all the doors and windows had been closed. Oxygen from the air would be consumed and cause grave danger to life. The smell of gas in the room was caused by faulty combustion, Charles Flanders Johns, a builder, identified the body as that of his father-in-law. On Friday evening Johns had called to see Mr. and Mrs. Kimm.. They were both sitting in the living-room and were well and in -good spirits. They were reading and had a small gas radiator alight, this being their only means of heat. Some time: after leaving their house he noticed a light,,was still burning.ill their room, said Johns. Kimm had a new wireless set and was very interested in it. At 6.15 a.m. the following day, noticing .the light still burning Johns went into the cottage and found Kimm lying back in an easy chair with his right foot against the gas heater. He was in & sound sleep. Mrs. Kimm ■ was lying on the couch apparently sleeping heavily. Johns then noticed that Mrs. • Kimm had been ill and realising that there was something seriously, wrong he rang 'for a doctor. Mr. and Mrs. Kimm were removed to the . Auckland hospital by ambulance.

*' It was a custom of Mr. and Mrs. Kimm to keep their floors and windows closed, said Johns. The gas heater was still alight when he entered • their room on Saturday morning. There would be no fresh air entering their room during the night although there was a threeinch vent over the top of the gas stove in another corner of the room.

Th inquest was adjourned sine die.