GAVE HER LIFE AS A SACRIFICE FOR AN OLD VALISE-GRUESOME FIRE FATALITY

McAlpine Home Destroyed and Chief Jones Finds Remains in Debris-Loss $6,000 and no Insurance-Mrs. McAlpine Seriously Ill From the Shock.

[Welland Telegraph, 26 April 1910]

A human life was the sacrifice given for an old valise at the fire which destroyed the home of A.J. McAlpine on the River Road at half-past three yesterday morning.

Mrs. Sarah Haun, an inmate, was warned to hurry out of the building which was enveloped in flames. She said she would go back for her valise. A few minutes later her son, a lad of fifteen, said to Jacob Wise, one of the earliest arrivals at the fire, “My mother is up there,” and he pointed to an upstairs window.

Mr. Wise called for a ladder and stove in the window with a board. The flames shot out making entry absolutely impossible.

The charred remains were found by Chief Jones yesterday forenoon, the victim having evidently been caught in the hallway.

The fire broke out about three o’clock in the morning. It was first noticed by W.H. Gunn, night watchman at the G.T.R. At that time flames were issuing from the southeast corner of the house. He ran to the residence of Mr. Minor, the busman, and phoned the alarm from there to the town hall, where Officer Laing rang the bell.

Budd Livingston and Jacob Wise were the first to the scene of the fire. By the time they had arrived the house was wrapped in flames.

The firemen were at the scene of the fire in less than ten minutes after the ringing of the bell, despite the fact that the house is situated far outside of the main part of the town. The hose was laid from the hydrant near the residence of Judge Wells, but all efforts to extinguish the blaze were in vain.

Escape of the Family

The family of Mr. McAlpine retired as usual for the night, extinguishing all fires and lights. About a quarter past three in the morning, Gordon Haun, whose mother was burned to death, awoke to find the room upstairs in which he was sleeping, filled with smoke. He immediately aroused the household who made their escape in their night clothes.

Mrs. Haun, his mother, said she would dress and get her valise before leaving the house. She returned to her room to do this and that was the last seen of her alive.

She was found buried in the ruins on Monday morning by Chief Jones.

Cause of Fire Unknown

The cause of the fire is a complete mystery. There were no fires in the house at the time and incediarism is not suspected.

No Insurance

The house which was two storey frame containing ten rooms was uninsured. Mr. McAlpine told The Telegraph on Monday morning that he estimated his loss at over $6000. The house was worth at least $3000 and the furniture at $3000. A new piano, costing $600, had been purchased a few days before. The house which was burned to the ground was partly the old Burgar homestead, and was an old landmark. It had been rebuilt recently. Considering that there was no insurance on the building, the loss is particularly heavy.

Six in House

Those who were in the house at the time of the fire were-Mr. and Mrs. A.J. McAlpine. Mrs. Sarah Haun and Gordon Haun, and Mr. McAlpine’s granddaughters, Minnie and Blanche, one of whom were severely burned. All escaped in their night clothes only. Mrs. McAlpine, who has been ill for some time, has suffered a relapse since the shock of the fire and grave doubts are entertained as to her recovery.

Sparks Flew Great Distance

The wind was blowing very rapidly from the northeast, and sparks and pieces of burning wood were blown far into the town. Had it not been for the heavy down-pour of rain, the result would have been disastrous to a great portion of the town.

The Dilworth house, near the scene of the fire, was in constant danger.

Will Not Rebuild

Mr. McAlpine will not rebuild on the site of the burned building. He himself is very ill as a result of the fire.

Gordon Haun’s Story

Gordon Haun, who was the first in the house to be awakened by the fire, told the following story:

“As nearly as I can say it was about a quarter past three when I was awakened by the smell of smoke and found my room full. I immediately awoke the others of the house, including my mother. We all hurried out, and Mrs. McAlpine was carried out. My mother did not come, saying she would dress first. We waited for her outside, but she did not come. We tried to save a few things in the meantime, but were not successful in getting much out. When the firemen came I told them my mother was inside, but they would not go in as everything was blazing.”

Mrs. Haun and son have been living with Mr. and Mrs. McAlpine for some time. Mrs. Haun leaves one daughter in Humberstone and one son, Gordon, here. She was forty years of age and widow of the late Elias Haun of Bertie.

Will Hold Inquest

Crown Attorney Cowper has given instructions to the coroner to hold an inquest.