‘Akaroa Arsonist” Warns Fire Brigade

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30045, 1 February 1963, Page 8

‘Akaroa Arsonist” Warns Fire Brigade

Three telephone calls to the watchroom of the Headquarters Fire Station by a man who said the “Akaroa arsonist” was in town, and that firemen should be prepared tor a fire, had the

Christchurch Fire Brigade on the alert recently. • The caller, late at night, first warned the duty fireman the brigade should be “ready tor trouble.” “The Akaroa arsonist is in town. I have seen him. You’ll have a fire tonight, so be ready. Be prepared tor a big blaze,” the caller said, and rang off. The second call came about an hour later. “The Akaroa arsonist is in Christchurch tonight. I have seen him, so you had better get the brigade ready tor a job. Be on the alert,” the caller said. It was early morning when the third call came. “It is the Akaroa arsonist here,” said a man’s vc’oe. “You can expect a job to go to soon. I’ll give you the address It is number —, street. Get ready for the job.” Both the waitchroom duty man arid the duty officer considered the same man had

made all three calls. The police were informed. Detectives also went to the address given by the selfstyled ’’Akaroa arsonist.” At their request, a woman occupying a flat at the address went to the Headquarters Fire Station. The calls by the “Akaroa arsonist” were played back to the woman on the taperecorder on ’.Tttich all fire calls are recorded. The woman said she recognised the voice. The police have questioned a man in connexion with the incident.

In a little more than a year, two hotels and a fish and chips shop have been destroyed by fire in Akaroa.