FIRES AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11195, 16 October 1899, Page 5

FIRES AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. [by TELEGKAHI.— association.] New Plymouth, Sunday. Shortly after midnight three outbreaks of fire occured in the most thickly-built portions of Devon-street. The first outbreak was discovered in the rear of the premises occupied by Bennett-, watchmaker, Ford, saddler, and Ward, draper, but the brigade succeeded in getting the fire under before much damage was done. Had the fire got a good hold the Herald Office, as well as the buildings named, and the Bank of New South Wales would have been jeopardised. Almost immediately after the first alarm the premises of Bayly, butcher, situated 200 yds down the street, on the opposite side, were found to be on fire. Here the brigade had hard work, but eventually got the flames under, only to discover that Soles butcher}-, further along the street, was biirnirtg. With commendable promptitude the firemen set to work again, and .sooh succeeded in gaining the mastery. There can be no doubt but the fires are the work of an incendiary,'. Other recent fires are ascribed to the same wanton fiend. All the buildings were insm'ed,. Its damage was not great, I. j.