SUSPICIOUS FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 249, 17 October 1908, Page 5

SUSPICIOUS FIRES.

SUPPOSED INCENDIARISM AT RANGIORA. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Several unexplained fires in unoccupied houses occurred recently at Rangi'ora. Another occurred last night. About | eleven o'clock a six-roomed cottage, be- ! longing to the estate of the late Mr ■ John Donovan, and valued at £350, was found ablaze. The fire was discovered by an explosion of gas, which showed that the meter had been turned on. The fire then had a strong hold, and before it was finally extinguished, the interior of the house and part of the outer walls, were destrdyed. The house is insured in the Commercial Union. The frequency of supposed incendiary fires in Rangiora is becoming serious, as the police have not been able to attach suspicion to anyone. Ait one time only old and isolated buildings were burned, but the incendiary seems now turning attention to a better class of places in more closely populated parts, where a serious conflagration may be possible.