Thirty-seven Dead

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21906, 9 December 1942, Page 2

Thirty-seven Dead

I , FIRE AT SEACLIFF [ MENTAL PATIENTS PERISH FLAMES SPREAD QUICKLY (By Teregraph.—Press Association) DUNEDIN, Wednesday A tragic fire occurred at the Seacliff Mental Hospital shortly after 10 o’clock last night 37 patients losing their lives by suffocation. The outbreak occurred in the wing for female patients and spread with such rapidity that it was impossible for the staff attendants to take rescue measures. The wing in which the outbreak occurred is attached to the main stone building, which was not damaged. There were 39 patients in the wing. Two escaped by a window. It is believed that all the deaths occurred from suffocation, but the bodies recovered this morning were unrecognisable. The origin of the fire is a mystery as steam heating was employed throughout the building and there were no fires. The blaze was discovered by an attendant shortly after 10 o'clock, when flames were seen emerging from the roof. The institution’s own fire brigade had the fire controlled inside an hour, an 4 the staff, together with the attendants, worked magnificently to evacuate the patients from all parts of the hospital. This was accomplished without panic. The superintendent, Dr. Brown, emphasised that though the hospital was generally un-der-staffed, the staffing of this wing was normal. The Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, will arrive by air today and the Direc-tor-General of Hospitals tomorrow. Blazing Furnace The fire broke out with terrific suddenness and so fierce was the blaze that it was impossible to get near enough to effect the rescue of any of the occupants of the dormitory. A strong southerly wind quickly turned the building into a blazing furnace. This morning revealed a sad picture. Not 50 square feet of the dormitory was standing, and nothing could be seen but a mass of twisted iron bedsteads, roofing iron, charred wood and other debris. The Superintendent, Dr. Brown, said his staff put up a magnificent fight in saving the surrounding buildings when the chances seemed a hundred to one against it.