TERRIBLE FATAL FIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12258, 5 July 1909, Page 7

TERRIBLE FATAL FIRE

THREE PERSONS PERISH

PLUCKY RESCUE WORK

BLENHEIM, July 3

A fire, attended unfortunately by fatal results, occurred here at midnight. The victims were:—

Mrs Joseph Taylor, Joseph Taylor, her sen, aged 10,

Mrs Taylor's infant.

The scene of the outbreak was a fiveroomed hour© in Whitnev Street, owned by Mrs Joseph Taylor, senior, and occupied by Joseph Taylor. A servant girl named Berry first discovered that the house wag on fire, being awakened by the pictures falling down in her bedrcom and finding the bed clothes in flames. She got the two children who were sleeping with her out and then attempted to return for Mrs Taylor and the other two, but was driven back by the flames. A passer-by rushed in and rescued the youngest child, but it was so badly burned that it died in the hospital the morning. Taylor arrived home to find tho fire bursting out everywhere. He smashed a window and endeavoured to drag his wile through, but her clothing gave way and the flames drove- him back. Mrs Taylor's -body and that of her son Joseph, aged about 10, were found in the debris after the flames had subsided.

The Fire Brigade were prevented by lack of water from rendering any assistance.

Taylor was badly cut and burned and is now in the hospital. It is feared he will lose his reason.

The insurances are not at present obtainable.