VICTIMS OF FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12707, 31 July 1919, Page 6

VICTIMS OF FIRE.

COMMENTS BY CORONER. [Per Press Association,] DUNEDIN, July 30. The inquest was concluded to-day on the bodies of Duncan MacDoimell and Samuel Docherty, the victims of the boarding-house fire in Cargill Street. The fact that the place was not licensed drew the comment from the Coroner that if the City Council officials had exercised greater vigilance the position would have been improved in the erection of a fire escape, though the absence of a fire escape did not enter into the reasons of death in these two cases., He added that he would recommend the council to see that in all cases fire extinguishers were provided. In giving a verdict that MacDonnell died from suffocation and burns, and Docherty from shock, the Coroner said ho must say lie did not think for one moment that he had got a correct story. He was not at all satisfied with the evidence, which, in his opinion, was very guarded, very likely because some of the men had not liked to disclose what was going on. No doubt Docherty was three parts drunk, and bottles were also found in the house. • The fire originated in Docherty's room ; hut there was nothing to show bow' it started. Ho thought the board-ing-house should have fire escapes, also means of extinguishing incipient fires. “ This has been a most unfortunate matter,” concluded the Coroner, “ and has occurred under most unfortunate conditions.”