Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1887-06-04 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

FATAL FIRE AT A LUNATIC ASYLCM.  Mr Wynne B. Baxter held an inquest on Tuesday evening at Brook House Private Asylum for Lunatic.s, Upper Clanton, as to the death of Maria E. Variance, 58, a single woman, who was burned to death in that establishment last Priday.—Dr. Adams, the medical superintendent and resident proprietor, stated that deceased was admitted as a patient in 1871, and discharged recovered in 1874, and with occasional absences she had resided at Brook House as a voluntary boarder ever since. She had a room to herself. It was the front room on the first floor of No. 1, Brookhotwe-terrace, which is connected with the main building by a corndcr. Shortly after half-past one on Friday afternoon witness was summoned by the chief attendant, who said that Miss Vallance's door was locked and the room on fire. Witness ran to the door and found that the door had just been burst open by the carpenter. Witness attempted to go in, but was driven back by the flames. He then directed his attention to the saving of the ladies in the neighbourhood, and the various appliances for extalogutalking fire were brought into requisition. The Fire Brigade men came about 29 minutes afterwards, and the fire was put ont. The remains of the deceased were discovered and taken out of the room.—By the jury: There had not been the slightest disagreement between the witness and the deceased. On that morning she had a delusion that her medicine had been potaoned. She had been suffering from jaundice, and witness had told her she was seriously ill, and she was in great anguish of spirit at the thougnt of death. It was usual to allow voluntary boarders to lock their bedroom doors. —A. Juror :Do you think that was prudent seeing that she had beeftatient 2—Witness: I think so. Her fee of deb was se great that I did not believe She a commit suicide.—By the Ooroner : She was first admitted suffering from depression, with suicidal tendency. Witness coukl offer no explanation cencerning the cause of the fire. There wits no fire in the gratetaidhaernatches in the room. She wades will th her Os favour two days before.—The Corner: id she eves talk about fire or cremation t—Witueds: Never. She ouly said ,he was afraid ihe wand go to he11..-r-filis Sarah Grace Capper, who reside* at 77, Farleigh-road, said that she frequently indled the cleceamed, who was a kiend of hers. au to. day, shiprtly after neon, witness called on her, but she and she was tired, and asked witness to call some other am y .—,l` ply* attendants having elated that the habits of the deceased were of a mild and fairly genial native, Mr W. Bliss, engineer for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, stationed at Rodney-roa.d, Hackney, said that he arrived in about six minutes afterreceiving a call. The front room (ground floor) and passage were alight. The attendante Were using every means available wit out the fire. Witheee fbund the deceased lyttg, burnt to a cinder, in the middle of the room. There was nothing show the cease of the fire. Fophcekon'stable Mudge stated that he visa the first to see the fire issuing from the exterior of the bedroom of the deceased. Ile rang the adjacent fire alarm. &red then saw Dr. 4&m. W these noticed that the inside shutters seemed close to the windows and on dre.-.--The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased died froni suffocation by fire, but how such fire occurred there was he evidence to show; and the jurors added that they. were I.I4IAECOSIOZIaI7 of OPMign that cret wax due to Dr. Aft,ms and bit( P for their behaviour.  atteuds"est'utel  WHAT is THIS DISEABB THAT IS COMING • Urdii Us. —lAke a thief at nightilsteals &wan us . unaware, Many persons bare 0 ithouttbectiest snd sides, apd sometimes in WM, They teel , dull and gleeel ; the iiicutth lisa ahadfaite, especially , In She morning A mai of sticky