FIRE IN CITY GARAGE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 10 July 1929, Page 10

FIRE IN CITY GARAGE.

THREE CARS BURNED.

SATURATED WITH PETROL.

SUSPICION OF INCENDIARISM.

In a City garage last evening three motor-care were maliciously set on fire by unknown persons. They were totally destroyed. Two other cars in the garage showed siens of having been tampered with, being saturated with petrol.

The garage, a large one siu-ated in Hereford place, is owned by Mr R. C. Dobson, and contained twelve cars when the proprietor left at 0.30 p.m. Everything seemed to be in order at that time, but shortly after 8.30 a pedestrian heard noises, and saw smoke and flames emerging from the building. The alarm was at once given and in a very few minutes the Brigade was on the scene. The lock of the door had not been tampered with, and it was necessary to break in. When this was done, tbre* cars were Been to be blazing furiously, and although the flames were soon extinguished, the cars were more or less totally destroyed. On the arrival of police and detectives, it was apparent that the cars had been set afire maliciously, for all three were situated in different parts of the garage, and close examination showed that the petrol tank of a Hillman car had been cut open with a chisel, and the contents poured first into a can and then over the other cars that were in the garage. The rear seats of a Humber and a Dodge car were saturated, but were not set on fire. The ears that were destroyed were a Buick iive-seater, a Ford threeseater, and a Crossley five-seater. Mr David Stock owned the Crossley, and he brought the car to the garage after the place was closed for the night. He had a key with which he could obtain entrance. Several other owners possessed keys also, but as far as is known they did not visit the place during the evening. Mr Dobson was hastily summoned from his home by police officers, and when he arrived a scene of destruction met his gaze. The three cars were blackened and ruined, and considerable damage was done to the building by the flames and water. A strong smell of petrol was noticeable in the vicinity of the other cars.

"That it was a deliberate attempt to destroy the cars in the building is evident. The persons were probably disturbed in their dastardly work, and found it necessary to leave it unfinished and beat a hasty retreat. How they obtained entrance is a mystery, and their departure was not observed. The doors of the building were untouched, and the windows undamaged. Chief-Detective J. Carroll was on the scene soon after the arrival of the engines and he has the matter under his supervision. Not a great deal could be done last evening, however, and a. constable was left in charge until this morning, when a careful examination will be made.