THE LATE CO ROMAN DEL FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11546, 4 December 1900, Page 5

THE LATE CO ROMAN DEL FIRE

[BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] Coromandel, Monda~ An inquiry took place to-day before the coroner { Mr. Swindley) relative to the recent fire at Cohen's billiard-room. The following jury were sworn in : —Messrs. Andrew King (foreman), Dodds, Bremner, Grant, llogerson, and Garth. A number of witnesses were called, but nothing fresh was elicited. It was made clear that the fire in the little back room of the billiard saloon broke out a few minutes after the saloon had been vacated by Mr. Cohen and its occupants, who all left the premises together at about eleven o'clock. Mr. Cohen stated that he kept the kerosene for daily use in this room, and that when he left the saloon everything appeared safe. The two tables, which were his property, were insured for £175, and the furniture for £25. The verdict was as follows : —"The jury find that the fire at Mr. S. Cohen's billiard-room on the night of Monday, November 26, is surrounded by suspicious circumstances, but there is no evidence to show that it was the wilful act of any individual."