Belfast News-Letter, Friday 14-11-1919:
THE VALUE OF FIREGUARDS
The circumstances connected with the death of a
child named Ena Harper, 7 Cambridge Street,
were investigated by Dr. T. Kennedy, deputy
coroner, yesterday. It was stated that during the
mother's absence the child's clothing caught fire.
A neighbour went into the house on hearing the
cries of the child's sister, and tried to save the de-
ceased by throwing a coat around her. By that
time, however, the deceased's clothes were almost
burnt off her body, and she died soon after in
the hospital. In returning a verdict of accidental
death, the jury made reference to the desirability
of providing fireguards in houses in which there
are young children.
Sadly, this was quite a common accident in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Girls were at greater risk than boys because their skirts caught fire very easily if they stood too near the fire.
