PALMERSTON FIRE TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1930, Page 8

PALMERSTON FIRE TRAGEDY

man returned to blazing room every effort made by brigade • By T«l«raph.—Pr«» Awociation. Palmerston N-, Oct. 22. \n inquest was held to-day concerning the death of William Mitchell, who lost his life when a fire occurred at his residence in the early hours of Sunday morning. ' Nurse Fraser stated that she w£s employed by Mitchell to nurse his daughter. Shortly after midnight witness found the House on ; fire and awakened the others. All escaped, but later Mitchell returned to the house for some purpose. '■ ■ ? ' . Constable Grant stated that Mitchell was found. in ■ a sitting 'position in. the bedroom of his invalid daughter. ’ - Dr. Putnam said Mitchell had been suffering from heart trouble ■ the night of the fire. Deputy-Superintendent Milvertain, of the brigade, went inside th® building at the risk of his? life in an endeavour to rescue Mitchell. ■■ j _• A verdict that < death was due to,.suffocation and burning was retiirned. The coroner added that he was satisfied that every effort had been made by the brigade to rescue him.