A FIRE RAISER.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 14, 30 December 1925, Page 5

A FIRE RAISER.

DANGEROUS MARAUDER AT AUCKLAND. HOUSE RANSACKED AND IGNITED Auckland, Dee. 29. A burglary and a fire occurred at a Remeura house this afternon, there being strong evidence to suggest that the two were related. The house is owned and occupied by Mr. S. H. Agar and is at 12 Ascot Avenue. The house was empty in the afternoon, as Mrs. Agar is away on a holiday. A neighbour saw a man in the garden, but did not suspect anything. Shortly before half-past five, however, a passer-by saw smoke coming from a window, and he immediately gave the alarm. The Remuera and city brigades answered the call and neighbours gave valuable assistance in putting out the flames. It was found that there were no fewer than five distinct fires in the house, two being in the same room. There was also ample indication that someone had previously gone to the back of the house, and finding it impossible to get in had entered the front room through a French window. Drawers were found pulled out and the contents thrown about the room, although nothing has yet been found to be missing.

The fires were easily put out with buckets of water. In one bedroom slight damage was done to the walls, and in'another bedroom a combination chest and clothing were found alight. In the drawing-room a chesterfield was damaged by fire. The house and contents are insured. An entry was also made to-day into the house of Mr. C. J. Mahon, Vincent Avenue, Remuera, which is close to Ascot Avenue. When tho members of the family returned to the house it was found that drawers had been removed from their places and the contents thrown about in confusion. The house was found in a state of upset, but in this case also nothing has been missed from the rooms. Money and valuables were in the house, but were not taken. A boy’s bicycle, however, is missing. A broken window showed how the intruder had entered the house.