SUSPICIOUS FIRES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 248, 19 October 1908, Page 4

SUSPICIOUS FIRES.

AN EPIDEMIC AT RANGIORA

EMPTY HOUSES BURNED DOWN

[from our correspondent.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 17

Several unexplained fires in unoccupied nouses have occurred recently at Rangiora. Another occurred last night, about eleven o'clock, in a sixroomed cottage belonging to the es- ! tate of the late John Donovan and I valued, at £450. The fire was dis- ; covered by an explosion of gas, which showed that the meter had been turned on. The fire then had a strong hold, and before it was finally extinguished, .the interior of the house and part of the.outer walls had been desttroyed. The amount of insurance (in the Commercial Union) has not yet been ascertained.

The frequency of supposed incendiary fires in Rangiora is becoming serious. The police have not been able to attach suspicion to anyone. At one time only old, isolated buildings were set on fire, but the incendiary seems to be now turning his attention to better-class {places in more closelypopulated parts, where a serious conflagration may be possible.