Thomas Kreft, (1868-22/2/1882). "lying on a bedstead"

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of Mr Bischefski and Mr Kreft are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their Children, who were burned to death on the 21st inst. The Funeral will leave the Morgue (Old Supreme Court-house) Tomorrow (Friday), at twelve o'clock noon, for the Roman Catholic Cemetery south. 

WALTER G. GEDDES, Undertaker, Octagon.  -Evening Star, 23/2/1882.

THE SMITH STREET FIRE

Inquest on the bodies

An inquest concerning the late fatal fire in Smith street, by which four children named Frances, Minnie, and Martha Bischefski, and Thomas Kreft lost their lives, was held at the Auld Scotland Hotel, Stuart street, at three o'clock this afternoon before Mr Coroner Hocken and a jury of twelve.

James Bischefski, laborer, stated that he lately resided in Smith street, where the fire occurred. There were in the house at the time his wife and three children — Francis (8 years), Minnie (6), and Martha (4), and his nephew Thomas Kreft (13). The children all slept upstairs in a bedroom over the kitchen: witness, his wife, and the baby sleeping in a front bedroom upstairs. He was awakened by the eldest son calling out "Mother, it's smoking." He heard something cracking, and looked out of the window on to the street, but could see nothing. Mrs Bischefski opened her bedroom door, which was opposite the children's bedroom, and the flames burst out. Himself and his wife tried to get into the other room, but could not owing to the smoke and flame. He then broke open the front window and let the baby out, and carried his wife to the window. She fell on her face, and he jumped out after her. On the night before he retired to bed about eleven o'clock. Everything was then quite safe. He had been sitting in the kitchen, and there was very little fire. He had been living in the house for three years, but had not insured his goods.

Jessie Greenslade, wife of Robert Greenslade, stated that she lived in Smith street, close to where the fire originated. Last Tuesday morning she was awakened by hearing the noise of glass breaking. She heard Mr Bischefski call out "Fire," and saw the reflection of flame and smoke. Her husband and family got out safely. The fire seemed to come from Bischefski's back room. Witness owned the three houses, and had them insured in the Norwich Union for LI60.

Simeon Isaacs, Hotelkeeper, Smith street, was awakened by his son giving the alarm as soon as the bell rang. It would have been impossible to have saved Bischefski's children when he got to the scene of the fire. The fire apparently came from the back of the house. 

Frank Millar, fireman, stated that the Brigade arrived at the fire about six minutes after the alarm was given. One of the horses stuck them up in Stuart street. He was present when the bodies were discovered lying on a bedstead on the ground floor in the back room. The bedstead had evidently fallen from above.

James Lind, fireman, also gave evidence an to the finding of the bodies. 

Inspector Weldon stated that two men (Brensem and Greenslade) who were to have given evidence were unfortunately too drunk to be examined.

This was all the evidence, and the jury found that the children were accidentally burnt.  -Evening Star, 23/2/1882.

Allanton Cemetery.