THE ORIENTAL HOTEL FIRE.

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 November 1901, Page 2

THE ORIENTAL HOTEL FIRE.

THE INQUEST,

CRAWFORD'S CAREER, Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 26. An inquest opened to-day concerning the death of William Isaac Crawford, who met his death through injuries received by burning at the Oriental Hotel fire on Monday morning. The medical evidence showed that the deceased was terribly burned about the headl, arms and body and also on the tongue and throat. . Crawford occupied a, room on the second floor and was aroused by the night porter, a negro, who appears to have acted with great bravery and presence of mind throughout. How Crawford reached the street is not yet clear, but he was found wandering about the railway station in great agony. He told the hospital surgeon that he had been drinking the previous night. Death was due to shock.

Evidence has noH concluded, and the enquiry was adjourned until Monday. The deceased was a married man and came down from Masterton on Wednesday. He had been' living in the Welling? ton district for the last two pr three years and was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and the only surviving son o,f the late Bobert Crawford, of County Sligo. He was mostly engaged during his colonial career in scholastic and literary work. At one time he was master at Newington College, Sydney, and later at Armidale Grammar School. Thence he went to Queensland and -was engaged in teaching work at Bundaberg. During the whole of this time Crawford was a constant contributor to many Australian papers. For some time past he lias resided at Masterton, where he was engaged in coaching. He leaves a widow, who is a well-known miniature painter, and two infant children.

That many lives were not lost in the Willis street fire on Monday is undoubtedly due (says yesterday's Times) to the coolness and presence of mind displayed by th« night porter, Burrows. Burrows, who has negro blood in his veins, was born in Canada. He is a man of some education, as was evinced in the clear and decisive manner in which he yesterday gave his evidence at the inquest on Crawford. When Burrows became aware that the house was on fire he rushed to the top story and ulumed the people there; then ran down to the next floor and saw that everyone was aroused, even breaking locks and shaking sleeping people. Smoke and flames were at this stag© pouring down the staircase, and the danger was imminent, as the fire was roaring loudly above. When he could not awake Crawford he dragged him off the bed on to the floor and shook, him into sensibility. When Burrows reached the bottom of the staircase the whole place was in. flames, and, seeing Bell lying unconscious below the. stairs,^ lie obtained assistance and carried him out:- He then: hastily inquired if all were out, and Would have turned back into the burning building had he not been held back by a fireman. He gave no thought to himself ; .his one idea was salvation of tlie • lives •■ of other*. Such courage is eertiiinlv1 deserving of reward. The Coroner, Mr. J. Ashcroft, said that Burrows "had shown great bravery, wn'd commended hjm for Jiis* Action, and Mr, H. D. Bell remarked that many people undoubtedly owed their lives to- the night-porter's presence of mind. There is no doubt that Burrows has saved life at the risk of his own, and some recognition of his courage should be made. He •modestly disclaims any credit, and fhys he simply did his dutf.