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-- PaulKlemick - 07 Aug 2007

A FIRE, attended with fatal consequences, occurred in Smith street, Dunedin, at an early hour on Tuesday morning. The scene of the calamity was a four-roomed two-storey house occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bischefsky, their three children and a nephew. Mr. Bischefski and his wife retired to bed about 11 o'clock on Monday night, and were awakened some time after by their eldest son calling out, "Oh, mama! smoke!" On opening the door of the children's room, the father was immediately met by a tongue of flame; but, covering himself with a blanket, he endeavored to effect a rescue. The flames having reached the other bedroom, he turned his attention to the succour of his wife and the youngest child, which was with her. With great difficulty all three succeeded in escaping by the window; but the heat was so great, and the flames so close upon them, that both father and mother had to drop to the ground, a distance of about 10 feet, and were considerably injured as well as the child. The other four children perished in the flames. Their names and ages were- Francis, 8; Minnie, 6; Martha, 4; and Thomas Crefts, 12. It is supposed the fire originated from some live ashes which were left in the kitchen grate the night previous. The adjoining houses on either side were also destroyed. "The Bruce Herald", 24 February 1882.