Police link house fire to court case

Press, 3 July 1986, Page 3

Police link house fire to court case

PA Auckland Police believe an attempt to burn down the three-storey Remuera home of the top criminal lawyer, Mr Peter Williams, early yesterday may be linked to a court case he handled.

The house was badly damaged in the 1.30 a.m. fire, which is being treated as arson.

Detective Sergeant Dene Thomas, of the Auckland crime squad, said Mr Williams had been asked to consider among clients and acquaintances those with cause to start the blaze.

Detective Sergeant Thomas said it was obvious to think first of those whom Mr Williams might have upset during a court hearing. He said there were no obvious suspects, nor had Mr Williams received any recent threat.

The police are seeking witnesses who may have seen anyone running from the house early yesterday.

The five members of the family in the house were alerted to the fire by someone ringing the doorbell. They were able to escape without injury

but could not find out who rang the bell. Detective Sergeant Thomas said the police had yet to identify the first caller to alert the Fire Service. However, it appeared the call was made before the Williams family had themselves discovered the fire. The police would also like to speak to a man seen by firemen to be watching the burning house from the opposite side of the road.

A police team was searching for evidence of thd cause of the fire.