TORONTO (CP) - Three women, all in their late 70s, died early today in a fire at a private home for elderly women. Alice Jamieson, 77, Marion Towers, 79, and Mrs. Frank Cocker, 77, died on arrival in Toronto East General Hospital.
They were among five women carried by firemen from the second storey of the home owned by Miss Dorothy Ashbridge. Mrs. William Daniel and Katie Sprackett were rescued by firemen from a second-floor verandah. Neither had been told of their companions' deaths.
Mrs. Daniel said she was awakened by what sounded like someone banging on the house. "I thought it was Miss Sprackett trying to open the window and I went to help her," she said. "I found the house was filled with smoke and it was hot. I yelled for everyone to get out. I think, perhaps Miss Jamieson lost her head."
The fire apparently started near the back entrance to the house, but fireman said they had been unable to determine the cause. The arson squad has been called in to investigate.