CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13673, 14 February 1908, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH FIRES.

STARTLING DISCOVERY. i INCENDIARIES- AT WORK.

SIX MORI': OUTBREAKS. ' KEROSENE AND FAT USED. .-[BY TELK;ttAI > H.---I , KESS ASSOCX.VTJON. ] v., Gujusrcuw.cn, Thursday. 'To-N-tcHT outbreaks of tire "were discovered in no fewer than six different places in the biisiheas heart of the city, and indications point to the fact that a band of incendiaries are at Work. All the outbreaks were <-imi!a"<" --in" eharacter, -.-the--contents of- rubbish .boxes in narrow ■alleyways : being-set- alight after the, box-had been placed .. against the '"wolis of buildings. '.'■ '•- The, outbreaks were found in the ■ followlag localities : — A right-of-way between, the Grain Agency ',- buildings.' and ■ the •:Cafe de Paris Hotel .at a point where several wooden shops \ abut, -• . . . A right-of-way ..-near. Rrice's corner leading from Hereford-street along the bach of a number ,of retail shops fronting ,on Colombo-street. .... A right-of-way running from Casbel-street • along - the back *-oi -■ other -:'- shops : fronting on Colombo-street. - A right-of-way at the hack of the Al Hotel i arid of the : wooden shops, another part, *" of Colombo-street threatened by the big tire on Thursday last. .The/:right-of-way below the United Service Hotel, between Hereford-street ; and Cathedral Square. -Iu- the: right-of-way -'at'■ : the office of the :■ Ohristchuroh Press. '; < In some instances, kerosene; and fat had been added to give.the fires a good start.. '.' . All uhe outbreaks, were promptly suppressed, and the police have the matter in hand -~-." . ■,;■-.

,: The ruins of WardeH'e factoiy," which nave been smouldering since the .great fire last Thursday night began to burn fiercely tin's morning, and the brigade had to be summoned. .The shell of .the building: contained 15ft or 20i't of debris, apparently consisting mainly of bricks and charred beams,-, and from this a dense cloud of smoke was rising with, ah amount of force that indicated a -'.'strong fire underneath. This afternoon the brigade was still pumping water into the ruin's,.', but had not succeeded in suppressing the fire.