ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 397, 18 April 1879, Page 2

ATTEMPTED INCENDIARISM.

(press agency.) Christchurch, 17th April.. A most determined attempt to burn down the furnituresfore of H. Furhman, Colombostreet, foo% pjhee last evening. At the reir of FurnmknV warehouse, in which there was a very heavy stock, is a sort of lean-to opening to the pajek'yard, entrance to which is gained by agate 1 in Cathedral Square. This lean-to is lighted by a small window, and. the person or persons attempting to set fire to the premises had broken open this gate, and then smashed in the window. Immediately under the window w.is a lot of iron bedsteads wrapped round with paper, cloth, and a heap of 'paper wrappers from bedsteads sold and removed. Orer the; bedsteads Imd been poured a quantity of inflammable liquid; consisting of kerosene, varnish, &c , and on a bedstead was .lying a full bottle of the same mixture. Judging from the number of matches lying about several attempts had been made before the" stuff took fire. However, this must have been at last accomplished, as when it was discovered this morning the fire had burnt the whole of the wrapping .paper of the bedstead, and had also ran part of the way up the lining oi the building, burning the boards. Fortunately the fire must, when it reached nearly to the ceiling, have died out of its own accord, as there is no further trace. Had it once caught the heap of paper in the corner, a largo and probably -destructive fire would havo occurred, ds the shop is surrounded by wooden buildings, araongst^thetn the Dreseut telegraph office, whichT.iCne^*' door.