HEART FAILURE AND BURNS WERE CAUSE OF DEATH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18339, 16 December 1927, Page 7

HEART FAILURE AND BURNS WERE CAUSE OF DEATH.

VERDICT OF CORONER AT INQUEST ON VICTIM OF FIRE. That death was due to heart failure, aggravated by burns, was the verdict at the inquest on Mary Ann Murphy. seventy-three, who died at the Christchurch Hospital on November 11. Mrs Murphy was admitted, to hospital on November 5. suffering from burns received when her house, at 12, William Street. City, caught fire. The Coroner (Mr E. D. Mosley) found that there was no evidence to show how the fire occurred. Sergeant M’Gregor led the evidence for the police. Flames Burst In. Patrick Murphy, retired farmer, residing at 12, William Street, city, husband of deceased, said that he discovered the fire in the early morning. lie was awakened by the sound of falling glass. Witness jumped out of bed, and on opening the door, flames burst into the room. They appeared to come from the direction of the kitchen. He was knocked down by the flames, but picked himself up, and got out of the window. His night clothes -were on fire. His wife was also in the bedroom, and he assisted her to get out of the window. The flames caught her, and she was removed to the Christchurch Hospital in the ambulance. Sergeant M'Gregor: Have you any idea what caused the fire? Witness: No idea whatever. In reply to a question witness said he did not smoke. Cooking was done on a gas stove in the kitchenette. They had not used matches for over a week, and there were no rats about the place. His son occupied a room adjoining the kitchen. Witness and his wife had left the kitchen at 9.30 on November 5. His son was not home, and he did not know what time he came in. Sergeant M'Gregor: Have you ever had trouble with the electric light? Witness: Never. To the Coroner, Murphy said that the electric light had been installed for eight years. They had an electric iron, but his wife had not used it on the evening before the fire. Ha/d Heart Attacks. Dr Robert Allan Harry Church, assistant medical officer at the Christchurch Hospital, said that Mrs Murphy was admitted to tire hospital on the morning of November 6. When he saw her she was considerably shocked, and had extensive superficial burns about her face and scalp, and slight burns on her hands and ■wrists. She remained in hospital for about five days. Her general condition was not good. She was suffering from chronic bronchitis, and stated herself that she had been suffering for the last three months. Her heart showed signs of muscular degeneration, and she had several attacks of breathlessness. She could not sleep while lying down. Witness was called to see her at midnight on November 11. She was having one of the attacks from which she died. Witness would say that death was due to heart failure aggravated by burns.

Awakened By Noise. Leo John Murphy, aged twenty-nine, son of deceased, said-that he lived with his parents at 12, William Street, and occupied a bedroom adjoining the kitchen. On the evening of November 5 h** had been out and did not return until 11.30. His parents were in bed. To the Sergeant witness said that he did not go into the kitchen, but went straight through the passage to his room. There was no light or sign of fire. • '

The Coroner; Do you smoke?—Yes. He was smoking on the way home, but not in the house.

In reply to the Coroner, witness said that he never smoked in bed. He was awakened by the noise in the kitchen, and on opening the door he was met by the flames. Witness tried to get cut through the kitchen, and after that he only had a vague idea of getting out of the house. lie remembered the firemen playing the hose on him. lie went to sleep with the light on. He had had no drink since ten o’clock on November 5.

SAW REFLECTION.

Aieline Honors Nelson, single woman, residing at 14, William Street, said that about 4.20 am on November 6 she was awakened by a reflection on her bedroom window- On getting up witness saw flames burst from the Murphy’s house. She aroused the household and telephoned for the fire brigade. She saw Mr Murphy, sen_, trying to get out of the window.. In witness’s opinion the fire originated in (he living-room, as that, rcicrra was well alight when she first, looked- She did not see flames bursting from other parts of the house.

The Coroner then rel turned the verdict as stated.