A SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1894, Page 5

A SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

An incipient fire of a suspicions nature was discovered yesterday evening about nine o'clock under the verandah of a house occupied by a man named Emanuel Silva, in Lower Hobson-street. The fire was discovered by a Mrs Allen, who was walking past. She gave the alarm and a man named Albert Joy went under the verandah (which is raised from the ground on posts), threw earth on the fire and got water and extinguished it. Sergeanb Clarke and Constables McConnochie and Keep went to tho house Bhortly afterwards, and Serpoanb Clarke went under the verandah, where he found a piece of burnt wood, a bib of rag, part of the frame of a slate newly burned, and also a portion of a half-pint bottle with a pieca of rag in it. The* piecei.gf febiird had a smell of kerosene. Sergeant Clarke took possession of the articles and made enquiries, but failed to obtain any information which would .throw, light, on the case. The fire is supposed to be a case of incendiarism. Mrs Silva's residence is fourroomed and is owned by Mr Goldwater.

The furniture in the house is not insured. Silva is at present away serving on board the s.s. Clun&man. Mrs Silva saya that she heard no noise of any kind aboub the house.