Conisbrough Tragedy

Puppy Knocked Girl Down – Child Fatally Burned

A four years old Conisbrough died from severe burns which she received when her nightdress caught fire after she had been knocked down by her family’s labrador puppy, it was stated at a Mexborough inquest on Tuesday.

Recording a verdict of “Mis-adventure” on the girl, Maureen King, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Frederick William King of 9, Harthill Road, Conisbrough, the Doncaster District Deputy Coroner, Mr C. R. Marshall said: “Mrs. King, having got the children ready for bed, was sitting happily with them 1 when her attention was attracted outside where another of her children had been bitten by the family’s dog. She dealt with that situation and the dog ran into the house, where the little girl was standing in front of the fire, contrary to what her mother had told her before she went out of the room. The puppy did what puppies do and jumped up at her, catching her off balance, and her nightdress caught fire with fatal consequences.”

In accordance with the medical evidence supplied by Dr. J. Shea, Registrar at Mexborough Montagu Hospital, the Coroner said the girl died of shock due to burns.

The girl’s father, Frederick William King, labourer, said Maureen was a healthy child. He told the Coroner that when he arrived home at about 7:15 PM last Thursday he was informed of the accident and went to Mexborough Montagu Hospital and stayed with her until 6:30 AM the following day. Soon afterwards, he was informed by the police that she had died.

In answer to a question from the Coroner, he said there was a fire guard in the sitting room where the accident occurred until two years ago when they got rid of it because the room was not being used as much.

Animal Bit Sister.

Mrs Katherine King said that at about five p.m. last Thursday she had got Maureen and David (witness’ two years old son) ready for bed and they were sitting in the room in their night clothes. Another daughter Monica (7) was with them and six-year-old Katherine was outside. She added that a neighbour knocked on the window and said that Katherine was crying.

She went out after telling the children not to go near the fire to sit still. She found that Katherine was crying because Rex the four months old Labrador puppy had bitten her and witness said he hit the dog after she had caught it. Rex then ran into the house.

Witness told the Coroner that when she arrived back in the house she heard Monica telling the dog to “get out”. Soon afterwards she heard her shouting that Maureen was on fire and went into the room.

Wrap in Blankets

“Maureen was coming from the direction of the hearth to the kitchen and she was on fire”, Mrs King said. “I tried to put the flames out and I threw a bowl of water over her. I could see she was badly burned.

“The next door neighbour ran in and rubbed her with olive oil and wrapped her in blankets to keep her warm while two doctors came. “Next morning Monica told me the dog had jumped at Maureen and knocked her into the fire.”

Siting on her father’s knee Monica told Mr. Marshall that Maureen was standing near the fire when Rex jumped up at her and she fell on the floor near the fire.