Burglar blamed for $¼m fire

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34107, 20 March 1976, Page 2

Burglar blamed for $¼m fire

A suspicious fife caused $250,000 worth of [damage to a Christchurch upholstery factory yesterday.

The fire brigade was called to Avondale Upholstery, Ltd, 116 Shortland Street, at 4.20 a.m. It is believed the fire was started by a burglar after he had ransacked the factory’s office. The fire began in the middle of the factory and spread to most parts, severely damaging about a third of the building of about 2415 sq. m (about 26,000 sq. ft). The managing director (Mr Keith Watson) said he was sure the fire was deliberately lit. “There was no way the fire could have started where it did accidentally,” he said.

He did not know if anything was taken from the office, but no money was kept on the premises. Only yesterday builders finished a $llO,OOO extension to the upper floor. This appears to have been relatively unharmed, but an engineer will inspect it for structural damage. If the upper floor has been damaged the value Z the fire damage might be much h-’gher. Thick, black smoke and [intense heat were given off Defence request Black, white, and Coloured (mixed-race) delegates to the talks on the constitutional future of South-West Africa (Namibia) have asked the South African Government to continue to defend its border with Angola. A resolution containing the request was passed unanimously by more than 100 delegates from the territory’s 11 ethnic groups. — Windhoek.

by burning fabrics and poly-; vinyl chloride. Firemen had[ to use breathing apparatus while they were fighting the blaze. Mr Watson, said none of the 70 persons employed at the factory would be laid off. They would be needed to'

iget the factory’ back into [ production. ; The building was insured. A link is suspected between the fire and the burglary of a firm across the road, Bates Joinery, Ltd. Nothing was taken from the >'joinery firm.