BURNED TO DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19784, 7 March 1927, Page 7

BURNED TO DEATH

FATAL FIRE AT HOWICK RETIRED CIVIL SERVANT'S FATS (Per Prew Association.) AUCKLAND, March 6. A distressing fatality occurred at Howick on Saturday evening, a retired Civil Servant, E. H. W. Dixon, perishing in a fire which destroyed a fourroomed dwelling in Uxbridge Street, leased by A. Gerring, Town Clerk of Howick. A young man, A. Isemonger, mude two courageous attempts to find the unfortunate man in the blazing building. Dixon, who was an elderly man, had been residing with Gerring, his wife and family being in Auckland.

On Saturday evening Gerring left Mr Dixon alone in tho house at about 7.45 o ’clock, it being Dixon’s custom to retire early. Shortly before 9.3 U p.m. the building was seen to bo in flames, and there was an exodus from tho picture theatre opposite of curious people, wlio could only sympathise in the absence of water connections and fire-lighting equipment. The bjaze was seen to have originated in the bedroom occupied by Dixon, and a rumour soon circulated that Dixon was in the house. It was general knowledge that Gerring kept a safe and Town Board records on ih.e premises. Through the Flames. Tho gathering made every effort to search, uie builuiug. Although half the building was a mass of flame, Mr Iso monger made his way through ths smoke-filled passage and forced the door of Dixon s room. A sheet of flauii shot through tho opening, and snioha poured through the passage. Uroping jd the entrance isemonger lound tne floin had collapsed and no had to retre4f Later he made another fruitless attempt to enter the room. H. Hill gained access to the building through a window and collected a number of papers and documents relating to Town Board matters. Many paper had already been destroyed. A win rope was hitched Co the safe at som< risk, and a gang of helpers dragged the safethrough a burning room. Whei the safe was opened the contents show ed the effects of the heat, but nothin/ was destroyed. When the flames threat cued a shed at the back of the dwelling water was obtained from two adjaceo, tanks, and the destruction of the out building prevented. At 11 p.m. the building had coHan* ed, and only glowing embers remained When enquiries flailed to locate Dixon it became obvious that he had fallen « victim. Search at daybreak confirnnx these fcares. The body, charred beyone recognition, was found near the bed room window. A watch and chain Ibn close by, indicating that Dixon ha< been dressed when the fire occurred The position of the body suggested tha he had been overcome by smoke whiL endeavouring to escape by the wie dow.