THE TE AWAMUTU TRAGEDY

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8021, 29 September 1906, Page 2

THE TE AWAMUTU TRAGEDY

—■* — FURTHER DETAILS. CHILDREN SUFFOCATED BY SMOKE. ONLOOKERS POWERLESS. retails of the shocking disaster to the Hutt family show that Mr Atkins, whc resides about a chain away from the dwelling occupied by tho Hutts, about 10.15 on Thursday night, heard noises coming from that direction. He immediately went outside, only to see tho whole place in flames, and resembling a regular furnace. He run across and met Mrs Hutt, who directed him to a badroom which she stated wan occupied by 6ome of the chi'dreu. Mr Atkins got through the window and into the burning room, hut could not find any occupants. On coming out he informed Mrs Hutt that th:re were no oh ldren in that particular room. She then directed him to another room f rom which Mr and Mrs Hutt with the baby in arms hid made their escipe. She stated that the sick boy, Willie, aged 2 years whs lnft behind in the room. By this time Messrs G. Ahier, Berry, P. Taylor, and A. Woods had arrived on the scene. 'The building was now one mass of Ikm. s and di-nse volumes of i-moke were from all parts of the doomed building. Heroic attempts were made to save the unfortunate little children, but owing to the fl'imes, heat and smoke all hopes of saving life had to be abandoned, and the four children wore left to the mercy of th« cruel dames. Close on a hundred people were now on tho scene, all powerless to do anything. Both Mr and Mrs Hutt were in a terribly afflicted state, whilst a large number of the spectator* were quite overcome and altogether the scene was to be a never to b? forgotten one No cries were heard from any of the children, which leads one to suppose that they were all suffocated during the early stages of the fire. When the remains were discovered they were each lying on wire woven mattrasses, 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 whole roof fell in very shortly after the alarm was given. Then again from its particular Construction it may shortly be described as a perfect death trap in the event of fire, which only too surely happened. The directions given were, in consequence of the excitement, very contradictory. The room occupied by the boy Willie had poor means of exit, and in his attempts 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 other children, were out of the building which was then all in flames, and so there was not the slightest hope of saving the fourCharles, Hector, Ethel and Willie. A inquest was opened yesterday afternoon before Mr J. B. Teasdale, coroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs Geo. Ahier (foreman), W. North, C. Bowden, Jqo. Middlebrook and M. Laurie, After viewing the remains the inquest was adjourned until next Wednesday. Mr Butt's furniture and effects were insured for £IOO and the piano £oQ, both risks being held by the National Insurance Company. The origin of the tire is a mystery, and the adjoining buildings had a very narrow escape from destruction. Subscription lists have been opened on be half of the Hutt family and liberally responded to by the public. The tuneral wiii use piaoe on Sunday afternoon. J On receipt of a message informing him of the matter, Mr Sprang at once telegraphed from Auckland to Mr Teasdale, -Am awfully sorry about poor Butt's misfortuae, kindly give him any help .possible on my responsibility," Mr Spragg also telegraphed to Mr Hutt his deepest sympithy, and added, " I do not know what to say to comfort you in your sad atiiction. Tell Mrs Hut': lam more sorry than words can sly. Send word if there is anything I. cau do." Subsequent to sending tho telegrams •Mr-Spragg decided to -o to To Aw.mutu and loft by the express.