BURGLARY AND FIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 26, 30 December 1925, Page 12

BURGLARY AND FIRE

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 29. A burglary anil fire occurred at a Remuera house this afternoon, there being strong evidence to suggest that the two were related. The house is owned and occupied by Mr S'. H. Agar, of Ascot Avenue. The house was empty in the afternoon as Mrs Agar is away oh a holiday. A neighbour saw a man in the garden but did not suspect anything. Shortly before half-past four, 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 contents thrown about the room, although nothing has yet been found to be missing. The fire was easily put out with buckets of water. In a bedroom a combination chest, and clothing were found to be 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 the 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 entered the house. The city and Parnell Fire Brigades had a strenuous time to-night in fighting a fire in the sack store of Messrs J. Ivennerly and Sons, in Parnell. The fire was located on the upper portion of the building in an inaccessible gable, in which a considerable amount of sacking twine and jute was stored. An opening had to be cut under the eaves in order to take a lead of hose to the seat of the outbreak. The building and contents were insured for £2OOO.