FIRE. AT BIN DON'S BOTTLING ESTABLISHMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6098, 3 June 1881, Page 5

FIRE. AT BIN DON'S BOTTLING ESTABLISHMENT.

ARREST OF MESSRS. W. . AND JAMES BINDON. About a quarter to 10 o'clock lust night the bell at the New Zealand Insurance Office rang an alarm of fire. Mr. Fisher, of the Occidental Hotel, noticed a great volume of smoke issuing from the direction of Highstreet, and called Constable Ryan's attention thereto. Steps were at once taken to raise an alarm, and the constable proceeded towards the smoke, which he found to be coming from Mr. W. V. Bindon's beer bottling establishment in High-street. He found several persons there anxious to break in, but lie prevented them from doing so. A considerable number of police were quickly in attendance, and kept anyone from interfering vrith the premises until the arrival of the Fire Brigade, who soon appeared upon the scene. At this time smoke in dense quantities was escaping from every available aperture- and through the roof, but no flames 'verc visible. The building was of brick, b;nccthe fire remaining so long confined. The Brigade forced open a door, and flames immediately shot forth, but only to encounter a strong jet of water, which speedily stopped the progress of the fire. The fire seemed to have been confined to the office and front room where the bottled beer was stacked, and the damage done was comparatively trifling. Part of the ceiling was injured, the lining charred, two holes burnt in the floor, and some bottles of beer were smashed. The building is the property of Mr. Greenway. We have been unable to ascertain whether there is any insurance on either building or stock. Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. Subsequent investigation revealed kerosene marks in four places, and there is a strong suspicion that the fire was of an incendiary character, and that it was intended to set the place alight at each spot where the kerosene was spilled. Since the above was written, we understand that Mr. W. . Binclon and his brother James have been arrested by Detectives Jeffrey and Brennau on suspicion of having set fire to the place.