MYSTERIOUS FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 28 May 1928, Page 10

MYSTERIOUS FIRE

'WHITE ELEPHANT' DESTROYED (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, This Day. Another mysterious firo in the early hours of Sunday morning completely destroyed Jensen's Buildings, at Picton, containing between sixty and seventy rooms, in addition to shops on the ground floor. The buildings were erected twenty years ago, and were intended for hotel purposes, but a license was never granted. The structure had been more or less a white elephant ever since. The only portion occupied was two rooms on the ground floor,'where Mr. E. E. Moffatt's dental parlours were situated. The fire originated in the deserted upper story, and spread with extraordinary rapidity, the concrete, in the downstairs apartments serving as funnels for the admission of a draught to the upper wotfden portions. The fire spread to Mr .0. E. Townshend's tenroomed residence adjoining, but after a great fight by the brigade it was saved with minor "damage. Jensen's • building was completely destroyed. Following the destruction of the school last week, the fire is ,0110 of a scries of mysterious outbreaks in Picton, and the outbreaks have caused somo uneasiness amongst the townspeople. The only insurance on the building was £1000 in the Royal Office. Mr. Moffatt's stock was insured for £760 in the same office. Mr. 'Kiwnshend's house was insured for £1250, and the contents for £450 in tffo Sun Office.