CLOTHES CATCH ON FIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17836, 8 October 1929, Page 6

CLOTHES CATCH ON FIRE

SUCCUMBED TO INJURIES

WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH. FATAL ACCIDENT AT HUNTLY. Mrs B. W. Fairhurst. of Iluntly, who was admitted to the Waikato Hospital on September 29, suffering from severe burns and shock, sustained through her clothes catching fire while she was washing clothes, succumbed to her injuries late yesterday afternoon. Mrs Fairhurst was stooping over the copper to remove the washing when her dress caught fire.

CORONIAL INQUIRY. DEATH DUE TO BURNS. This morning District Coroner, Mr Wvvern Wilson, S.M., enquired into the circumstances of the death of Mrs Fairhurst. Robert William Fairhurst, husband of deceased, said that on September 29, his wife was working at the copper in the yard washing a frock for herself,’ when her clothing caught fire. Witness was about a dozen yards away when- he heard a scream. He rushed forward and saw his wife standing with her clothing on tire. Her body seemed to be completely enveloped in flame. He pulled her away and placed her on the concrete floor, and getting a rug from the house smothered the fire out. 'Witness said lie immediately called in Dr. Mac Diarmid, who ordered his wife’s removal to the hospital immediately. Dr. ,T. F. Mulcock, of the Waikato Hospital staff, said the patient entered the hospital at 5 p.m. on the 29th. He examined her on admission, and found her suffering from a moderate degree of shock and from extensive burns involving both thighs and the body, as far as the chest. Her general condition was fairly satisfactory. She was treated for shock, and then her burns were cleaned and dressed. She appeared to be getting on satisfactorily until yesterday morning, except for the fact that she had a rapid pulse which caused the medical staff some concern. Her pulse then returned to something like normal, although she seemed a little drowsy. In the afternoon he could not observe any pulse. In answer to the coroner, witness said steps had been taken to combat toxic absorption. Witness added that the patient never regained consciousness, and died at 3.15 yesterday afternoon. Death, in witness’ opinion, was due to heart failure due to toxic absorption from burns. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony.