FIRE INQUIRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17703, 1 February 1918, Page 6

FIRE INQUIRY.

[Per Press Association.! STRATFORD, January 31. An inquiry was held to-day into the circumstances surrounding a fire on January 12 in premises occupied by John Benjamin Clark, an itinerant auctioneer of drapery and general merchandise.

The police gave evidence of finding traces of benzine in the building after the fire. Clark was on the premises at tho time of the outbreak. The jury returned a verdict that the premises were wilfully set on fire, but there was not 'sufficient evidence to show by whom. Later this evening Clark was arrested on the charge, bail being allowed, himself in £2OO and one surety of £IOO.