Owner blames 'kids’ for fire

Press, 1 September 1986, Page 1

Owner blames 'kids’ for fire

Children may have set the fire that on Saturday evening caused substantial damage to a Marshland Road knitwear factory. The owner, Mr Michael Stossel, spent most of yesterday tidying up the debris after the blaze which began about 9 p,m. He believed “young kids’’ may have started the fire in the rear of two factory buildings after being unable to break into the front building.

“They kicked the door in of the back building and then set fire to it,” he said. At least three seats of fire were deliberately lit. Empty boxes in the building had been used to start the fire.

The rear building at 199 a Marshland Road is used for scouring and also houses the factory boilers. Mr Stossel said the chemicals used in the factory were not flammable.

The building was well alight by the time two fire appliances answered the 111 call made by friends of Mr Stossel who were driving home along Marshland Road.

The building is in a light industrial area and at least 100 metres from the nearest house.

The factory produces men’s and women’s knitwear for the local Christchurch market Mr Stossel expects to be out of production for two or three days at the most

No stock was lost in the fire. Most of the damage was structural and Mr Stossel believes the roof will have to be replaced. Electricians were at the factory yesterday rewiring it.

Mr Stossel estimated the damage at $30,000 to $50,000. The Fire Service is investigating.