Newspaper Fire Said To Be Caused Maliciously

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27709, 13 July 1955, Page 13

Newspaper Fire Said To Be Caused Maliciously

(Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 12. A police arson expert told the Bankstown fire inquiry this afternoon he believed the “Torch” newspaper fire was caused by a device or explosion which was maliciously set. He is Detective-Sergeant Raymond William Kelly, officer-m-charge of the arson and safe-breaking squads with the New South Wales C.I.D. He also said he was taken off further investigations at his own request because of an outbreak of safebreaking. Safebreaking was his specialty. The Bankstown investigation was then passed to Detective-Sergeant Bradstreet. In the investigations he made he did not find anything to show the cause. He would have expected remnants if it had been initiated by a device. Later he told the Crown counsel. Mr A. J. Goram, Q.C., that from his own observations and talks with Mr Parsons, of the Explosives Bureau, he formed the opinion that the fire was caused by a vapour explosion maliciously set. He formed that opinion primarily of the simultaneous explosion and fire. He told Mr Goram he considered the explosion maliciously set because “in the absence of any other agent which could have caused the fire there was no substance in that portion of the building which could have caused the fire.’ Kelly said that Engisch, the editor of the “Torch,” told him the cause of the trouble was that a man named Fitzpatrick had dominated the Bankstown Council for years, and the “Torch” consistently reported criticism of him. Engisch also said that the night of the fire “Ray Fitzpatrick. and a former mayor, Aiderman Pyers, were at the fire and were laughing.” Kelly said Engisch then told him that Barkell had said he had got what was coming to him, and that he could not go whipping people around the knees and get off scot-free. said he told Detective-Sergeant Forward, officer-in-charge of the Banks- ■ town C. 1.8., that as Engisch had made i some very serious allegations about the Fitzpatricks, the Fitzpatricks. should be interviewed as soon as I possible „ , “I talked further with Forward about the relationship between the Fitzpatricks and Engisch. As a result of that, I took a different view and I withdrew the request to interview’ them that day. . “Forward told me that very baa blood existed between Engisch and Fitzpatrick and that a writ for £20,000 was pending and that it would be wise to continue the investigation further, from independent people, before interviewing any interested parties. Kelly said he reported to Superintendent Flint of the C. 1.8. and asked him that Detective Bradstreet continue the investigation. Mr Goram: You have given us the whole of your reasons for saying it was maliciously set? Kelly: Yes. in the absence of any other agent which could have caused the fire. There was no substance in that portion of the building which could have caused such an explosion. Kelly said Engisch told him he thought it was caused by a bomb. Kelly said he asked, “Do you suspect anyone?” and Engisch said, “Jack or Ray Fitzpatrick, or somedne they may have paid to do it.” He told Engisch it was a serious accusation and asked him whether he had any reason. Engisch told him, “I have had a lot of trouble with them over a number of years. They have threatened to burn me out. and put a bomb under the place. The threats were made in 1954.”

Earlier a fire officer with 25 years’ experience told the inquiry he could not account for the speed and heat of the fire.

Mr Goram and Mr R. S. Watson counsel for Engisch, clashed when Mr Watson asked the witness if he thought “something was introduced into the building.” . The Parramatta Coroner. Mr Smythe, is inquiring into a fire which destroyed the “Torch” newspaper office at Bankstown. Later the Coroner may be asked to subpoena all police files and records on the fire. Mr Watson told Mr Smythe he would seek the subpoena if evidence took the lines it did yesterday, and police evidence in the case showed that it was necessary to do so. Constable George Herd, of Bankstown, said that on the night of April 11 he was sitting in a police truck outside the police station “I heard a loud and violent explosion and saw smoke, sparks and debris shoot up into the air,” he said. “The truck shook. I jumped out and ran down a lane towards the “Torch” building. “I could see through the window of the office that there was a fire in the passage, leading to the printing section.” Herd said that the fire brigade arrived in six minutes. “Phi] Engisch came down about 20 minutes after the fire started.” Herd said. Herd said he told Engisch “it’s bad luck.” Engisch replied, “it is just what t expected.” Herd said he asked Engisch what he meant. Engisch replied. “they promised this would happen some time.” Herd said he asked. “Who are they?” and Engisch replied: "The boys.’’ Mr Shand: When Mr Engisch said “thev” were “the boys,” did you know whom he meant?—No. I had only recently been transferred to Bankstown and I did not know’ the local politics.