INQUIRY INTO FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 16

INQUIRY INTO FIRE.

KEROSENE FOUND IN HOUSE. VERDICT BY THE CORONER. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, Thursday. At the instigation of the Napier Fire Board, the coroner, Mr. A. M. Mowlem. S.M., held an inquiry this morning into the circumstances of a fire on January 5 in an unoccupied house in Vautier Street. The houso was owned by E. J. Bcrcsford, who had removed the furniture two days bflfore the fire, and on the following day left for Wellington. It was stated that when the firemen were suppressing the flames there was a strong smell of kcroseno. Investigation later disclosed a tin and two other containers, which sinelled strongly of kerosene, and also kerosene-saturated rags. In the coiling another article was found which burst when dropped to the floor and was found to have been filled with kerosene. After a full inquiry the coroner returned a verdict that the evidence plainly disclosed the fact that a tin and at least three vessels of kerosene were iplaced in the house between 5.30 p.m. on January 3 and 3 a.m. on January 5, but there was no direct evidence to show by whoni they were placed within the dwelling.