FIRE IN COLLINGWOOD STREET.
WOMAN FATALLY BURNED
Mrs. Agnes Dargavel, a widow, residing at 129 Collingwood street, was fatally burned yesterday morning through pan of kerosene catching fire. It appears that Mrs. Dargavel had a tin of kerosene, which contained some water, and with the object of evaporating the water, she poured the contents into a stew pan, and placed it on the fire in the kitchen. The fumes from the kerosene ignited, and the flame caught Mrs. Dargavel, who was standing over the fire, setting fire to her clothes. Her daughter dashed a bucket of water over her, and Mr Anion, who was staying at Mrs. Johnson's, next door, hearing screams, rushed in and carried Mrs. Dargavel outside. The unfortunate woman was shockingly burned about the face, arms and upper part of the body, and was also slightly burned about the legs. The kitchen in the meantime had been set on fire, and the alarm was given, but the flames were suppressed without the services of the Fire Brigade being required. Dr. Gibbs was summoned and attended to Mrs. Dargavel, who was removed to the Hospital in a serious condition. The house, which is owned by Miss Amy Johnson, was insured in the New Zealand Office for £150. There was no insurance on the furniture. The damage done to the kitchen was estimated at £20.
Mrs. Dargavel succumbed to her injuries shortly after midnight, at the Hospital. The deceased leaves a family of three daughters. -Colonist, 30/12/1914.
THE COLLINGWOOD STREET FATALITY.
INQUEST ON THE VICTIM.
The inquest on the body of Agnes Dargavel, widow, who received fatal injuries as a result of her clothing being accidentally set on fire, at her residence, Collingwood-street, on Tuesday, was held at the Hospital this morning before Mr E. Davidson, J.P., Coroner.
Beatrice Dargavel, a daughter of deceased, deposed that on Tuesday morning her mother was engaged in the kitchen endeavouring to evaporate water which had become mixed with kerosene. The kerosene was in a preserving pan, the latter being placed on the stove, with a fire underneath. Witness, who was upstairs at the time, heard her mother call out "Oh!" Witness immediately rushed into the passage, where she saw her mother in flames. Witness endeavoured to beat out the flames, and received severe burns in doing so. She then called Mr Anyon, who was staying next door, and he immediately rushed in and assisted her mother. The kitchen was then in flames. She could not account for the accident, and was not aware that her mother had made a practice of evaporating water from kerosene in the manner indicated. Witness knew there was a quantity of water in the kerosene, as the open tin had been left outside, and the rain had got into it. Deceased was 56 years of age, and resided with her three daughters.
Dr. S. A. Gibbs stated that on 29th inst. he was called to deceased's house in Collingwood-street, where he found her suffering from severe burns to the head, face, shoulders, neck, arms, hands, and body, and also minor burns on the lower extremities. After attending to the injuries, witness ordered her removal to the Hospital. The condition of the deceased was consistent with the statement that the burns had resulted from the ignition of kerosene.
George Anyon, a visitor, residing next door to deceased's house, stated that in response to a call he went to the assistance of deceased. The kitchen was in flames when he arrived. He entered the room, and was nearly stifled by the flames and smoke. He found deceased a mass of flames from head to foot. He got deceased out of the kitchen, carried her down the steps, laid her on the ground, and endeavoured to smother the flames with rugs. Witness, after sending for medical and other assistance, with the help of his sons threw water over the kitchen until the flames were extinguished. When he first entered the kitchen there was a strong smell of kerosene. His opinion was that the preserving pan had been put on a gas ring, had blazed up, and that deceased then attempted to carry it out of the door, as this portion of the room was more badly burnt than elsewhere. Miss Dargavel should be highly commended for her action in attempting to save her mother.
Sister Jacobsen gave evidence as to deceased being received in the institution at dying shortly after midnight.
The Coroner said the accident was, one for which all would be sorry. The daughter deserved commendation for her coolness and bravery in endeavouring to save her mother's life. A verdict of accidental death from deceased's clothing catching on fire while attempting to extract water from kerosene in a pan over a fire was returned. -Nelson Evening Mail, 30/12/1914.
DEATH.
DARGAVEL. — On December 30th, at Nelson Hospital (through the effect of burns), Mrs. Agnes Dargavel. -Colonist, 30/12/1914.
FUNERAL
THE Friends of the late MBS AGNES DARGAVEL are informed that her Funeral will leave the residence of Mr G. Brooker, Bridge-street, THIS (Thursday) AFTERNOON, at 2.30 o'clock, for the Nelson Cemetery.
ALFRED SHONE, Undertaker & Embalmer. -Colonist, 31/12/1914.
Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.
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