SUMNER TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10927, 17 November 1913, Page 7

SUMNER TRAGEDY.

MAN BURNED TO DEATH. ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FAILED. ' Mr H. TV. Bishop, Coroner, held an inquest at Sumner yesterday concerning the death of William James John Perrin, thirty-two years of age, the victim of the fatal fire un "Wakefield Avenue on Saturday morning. Sergeant Jackson conducted the inquiry., Frederick Perrin, brother of deceased, stated that he went to bed at about eleven o'clock on Friday evening. Shortly afterwards ho heard his brother enter the house and go to his room. Mrs Perrin stated that she was awakened at about 12.15 a.m. on Saturday morning by hearing a crackling noise. The fire was near deceased's bedroom, and it was then so fierce that an entry was impossible. Tho deceased always kept tho window and door of his room open. Tho body with the boots still on was found lying near the door. A tall old-fashioned candlestick was used by tho deceased, and stood on a small table near the window. Claude Hill said that on the night of t' fire he left deceased at about eleven o'clock, when the latter stated that he was going home. Deceased was under the influence of liquor at the time. ' Constable Hampton, of Sumner, said that he had visited the scene of the firo, and had found tho window open about six inches. The door was also open, and the candlestick was in the position described by a' previous witness. On the night of the fire a strong easterly wind was blowing, which would go directly in though the open window, and aided by the open door a draught would be created which would blow the long window curtains into the candle flame. The position of the body when found indicated an attempt having been made to get out of the room. A verdict was returned that deceased was accidentally burnt to death.