FALLEN CANDLE THEORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1936, Page 3

FALLEN CANDLE THEORY

FIRE AT HISTORIC HOUSE. LONDON, March 20. A possible explanation of the fire which destroyed Citizen House, one of Bath's*show places, was given yesterday at Bath juvenile court. Two women and two children were rescued from the historic building on the night of February 23. Before the court was a 16-year-old youth charged with entering Citizen House on the night of February 23, with intent to commit a felony. He was sent for trial at the Quarter Sessions. The Chief Constable stated it was known that the boy, who was already in custody in respect of other offences, had been in the company earlier that evening of another youth, who actually gave the alarm of fire. According to an alleged statement made by the accused boy, the two entered Citizen House and placed a lighted candle on a table. The- other boy, in trying to open a collecting box with a penknife, upset the camlie, which fell into a waste paper basket. The other youth put his foot on the

burning paper and said, “Let’s run for it.” They ran out at once, but went back afterwards and saw flames. The second boy said, “I’m going to give the alarm. We shall get some money out of it.” They had not charged the boys with setting fire to the place, added the Chief Constable. He thought it was an accident, and to sustain a charge of arson malice would have to be proved. When the boy was charged that morning he replied, “Guilty.” The other youth was not charged because the only evidence against him was that of his companion.