ALLEGED INCENDIARISM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 70, 16 December 1907, Page 5

ALLEGED INCENDIARISM.

TWO SCHOOLS ON FIRE AT NAPIER. ■' (BY TELEGRAm—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) ; • Napier, December 14. Two serious outbreaks of fire occurred here in.the early hours this morning, under circumstances that, have aroused considerable suspicion. The first outbreak was in a laundry attached to the Boys' High School, and was noticed at 12:30' a.m. by a passer-by, who gave the alarm. The fact of a second fire occurring in-another school, in the. vicinity shortly afterwards render the circumstances connected with this outbreak decidedly suspicious. There had not been- a fire in the laundry, since last Monday, and one of the maids had been, in the place for the last time about 6 o'clock on Friday evening. Four of the servants employed passed it about 10 o'clock, when everything; appeared secure. Mr. Poison, the headmaster, who was reading in the r.oom opposite the laundry, did not retire until 11.30 p.m., and the fire evidently started after his light went out. The outbreak apparently originated in the end of the building, where two windows were left partially open for the purpose of airing a quantity of soiled linen. The firemen had scarcely recovered from their exertions at the High School when they received a summons to tackle more serious work in the same., quarter. After their own excitement some inmates of the High School noticed a blaze at... the Marist Brothers School, and an alarm was again given. In this case the flames fairly took hold of the building, and although, the brigade were quickly, at work, it was soon apparent that the school was doomed, and it was impossible to do much in the; way of salvage. The seat of. the outbreak appeared .to be in a small stationery room. The building was very old, having been used as the- first Catholic church in Napier. No reason can be assigned for the fire. Two leading citizens were chatting opposite the building about 12.30 a.m., and there was then no sign of an outbreak. The police have the affair in hand.