FIRE EPIDEMIC AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 14 February 1908, Page 4

FIRE EPIDEMIC AT CHRISTCHURCH.

INDICATIOXS OF INCENDIARISM. [United Vhess Association.} [ CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. To-night outbreaks of fire were discovered in no fewer than six different places in the business heart of the city, aud the indications point to the fact that a band of incendiaries is at work. All the outbreaks were similar in character, the contents of rubbish boxes in narrow alley ways being set alight after the boxes had been placed against the \vall3 of buildings. The outbreaks were found in a right-of-way between the Grain Agency Buildings and the Cafe de Paris Hotel, at a point where several wooden shops abut; in a right-of-way near Brice's corner, leading from Herefordstreet along the back of a number of retail shops fronting on Colombo-st. ; in. another right-of-way running from Cashel -street along the back of othen^ shops fronting on Colombo-street; in a right-otway at the back of the Al Hotel, and of the wooden shops in another part of Colombo-street threatened by the big fire on Thursday last ; in the right-of-way below the United Service Hotel, between Hereford-street and Cathedral Square; and in the "Press" office right-of-way. In some instances kerosene and fat had been used to give the fires a good start. All the outbreaks were promptly suppressed, and the police have the matter in hand. __^________________________«___ . _, — 4