11 Cars Set On Fire By Incendiarist In Dunedin

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 1

11 Cars Set On Fire By Incendiarist In Dunedin

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, May 17. Eleven cars were set on fire by an incendiarist in the Gaversham and Kew areas of Dunedin between 7 and 9 a.m. today.

Some of the cars were burnt out inside. Burning rags and paper were tossed inside the carsj setting the upholstery alight.

Most of the cars were parked outside the owners’ homes, but one car in a garage was set alight. Many of the cars, older models, were not insured.

The first fire call at 7.30 a.m. was to a car owned by Mr N. S. Bresanello parked at the corner of Burns street and the Main South road. This car, only recently fitted with a reconditioned motor, was destroyed. It was not insured.

At 7.54 a.m. a car belonging to Mr F. Barclay, also parked in Burns street, was found with its upholstery well alight. The interior was damaged considerably. The car was not insured. At 8.2 a.m. firemer answered a call to a blazing van in Baker street. The van, belonging to Newtone Dry Cleaners, was badly damaged. Firemen had a busy time in Neville street when three burning vehicles were found at 8.4 a.m. The interior of a car belonging to Mr A. J. Cook was burnt out. The car was in a garage. It was not

insured. Slight damage was caused to a car. belonging to Mr K. W. Cuttriss. It was not insured. A carpet and seat in a coupe belonging to Mr S. T. Starkey were* destroyed. This vehicle was insured. At 8.15 a.m. Mr A. A. Portepus found two seats in his van, parked in Nicholson Street, burning fiercely. He removed the seats and did not call the brigade. The. van was not insured.

The brigade,-called to a car in Bay View road at 8.29 a.m., found the interior almost completely burnt out. The car belonged to Mr R. S. Gourlay and was insured. An unsuccessful attempt

was made to set fire to a car belonging to Mr B. J. McDonnell. Burning paper was found on the front seat. A car. belonging to Mr A. F. R. Aburn, parked in Esther Crescent, was badly damaged. The brigade was. called at 8.34 a.m.

Slight damage to paintwork and wiring was caused to a car belonging to Mr D. J. Manning, of Esther crescent, in the last fire of the morning. Detectives also received reports of two other attempts to set fire to cars in Nelson street. Burnt paper was found in the cars but the upholstery was not damaged.