Bomb blamed for fire

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32612, 21 May 1971, Page 10

Bomb blamed for fire

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 20. Two women and three small children narrowly escaped injury when fire raced through their home in Mount Roskill late tonight after an explosive—believed to have been a petrol bomb—was thrown through a back window. Mrs Rose Wheatley, of 32 Glenarm Avenue, and a friend, ran from the kitchen of the wooden house, and bundled the children out of bed after two explosions rocked the back sun-porch at 10 p.m.

Three fire engines attended, and took a quarter of an hour to control the fire. The house may be damaged beyond repair.

The sun-porch, which was examined closely by fire police, was a charred shell.

Mrs Wheatley, who was interviewed by detectives, was not available for comment tonight but it is believed she had been approached earlier in the day and told to amend a statement made to the police several days ago concerning a forthcoming court case.

She refused and was said to have been told that reprisals would be taken. The explosions at the house were heard almost a mile away. Michael Adams, aged 17, who was in a house about 60 yards from 32 Glenarm Avenue, said he heard two explosions separated by several seconds and the sound of shattering glass.