THE TE AWAMUTU DISASTER.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXI, Issue 3297, 29 September 1906, Page 2

THE TE AWAMUTU DISASTER.

Following my telegraphic report of yesterday, I am now able to give more details of the shocking disaster to the Hutt family. Mr Harry Atkins, who resides with his family about a chain from the dwelling which was occupied by the Hutts, states that at about 1015 on Thursday night he heard noises coming from Butt’s direction. He immediately went outside, only to see the whole place in flames, which resemble a furnace. He ran across and met Mrs Hutt, who directed him to the bedroom which she stated was occupied by some of the children. Mr Atkins got through the window and into the burning room, but could not find any occupants. On coming out he informed Mrs Hutt that there were no children in that particular room. She then directed him to another room from which Mr and Mrs Hutt with baby in arms had made their escape. She stated that the sick boy Willie, aged two years, was left behind in the room. By this time Messrs Geo. Ahier, Captain Berry, F. Taylor and A. Woods bad arrived on the scene. The building was one mass of flames and dense volumes of smoke were issuing from all parts of the doomed building. Heroic efforts were made to save the unfortunate little children, but owing to the flames, heat and smoke all hope of saving life had to be abandoned, and the four children were left to the mercy of the cruel flames. Close on a hundred people were now on the scene, and all powerless to do anything. Both Mr and Mrs Hutt were now in a terribly afflicted state, whilst a large number of the spectators were quite overcome, and altogether the scene was a never-to-be-forgotten one. No cries were heard from the children, which leads one to suppose that they were suffocated during the early stages of the fire. When the remains were discovered they were each lying on wire-woven mattrasaes, and they do not appear to have struggled at all. It would appear somewhat strange to those who did not witness the disaster why so many lives were lost when rescuers were present. To-account for this, in the first instance the house was very old, and the roof fell in very shortly after the alarm was given. Then, again, from its peculiar construction it may shortly be deferibed as a perfect death-trap in the event of fire, and which only too truly happened. Furthermore, the parents appear to have completely lost all presence of mind, and gave somewhat erratic directions to the rescuers as to the position of the bedrooms. The room occupied by the boy- Willie had poor means of exit, and in his attempt to reach the lad Mr Atkins was severely burnt.. When Mr Atkins arrived on the scene at first,Mr and Mrs Hutt with the baby and four others of their family were out of the building, which was then all. in flames, so there was not the slightest hope of rescuing the four children, Charles, Hector, Ethel, and Willie; indeed, one is inclined to think that they were suffocated before any one arrived on the scene. An inquest was opened yesterday afternoon before Mr J. B. Teasdale, coroner, and jury consisting of Messrs. George Ahier (foreman), W. North, C. Bowden, John Middlebrook, and M. Laurie. After viewing the remains the inquest was adjourned until next Wednesday. Mr Hutt’s furniture and effects were insured for £IOO and the piano for £SO, both risks being held by the National Insurance Company. Subscription lists have been opened on behalf of the Hntt family, and liberally responded to by the public. The funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon. The origin of the fire is a mystery. T'-e adjoining buildings had very narrow escapes from destruction.