FIRE-RAISER AT WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7018, 5 January 1910, Page 6

FIRE-RAISER AT WORK

A CHRISTCHURCH SENSATION. furniture soaked in BENZINE. BRIGADE’S PROMPT ARRIVAL AVERTS SERIOUS RESULTS. PEEO3 ASSOCIATION. OHRISTOHURCH, January 4. At 2.20 this r 'oruing a firo was discovered in a lofty building known as tho Oafo Cecil, in a block in High street. Tho alarm was givon by a young woman who sleeps in promises in Hereford street, immediately behind the Cafo Cecil. Sho telephoned to tho Exchange officials, who acquainted the brigade. Tho outbreak was almost simultaneously noticed by a policeman. The seat of tho fire was located on tho first floor, in tho waiting-room of a suite of apartments occupied by Messrs L. V. Goyen and R. J- -king, dentists. Tho room was enveloped in flames when tho first detachment of tho brigade arrived, a large Chesterfield oouoh being tho centre of tho fire. There was a strong element of danger in the situation, owing to the fact that a tin of benzine was lying in the middle of the floor, and to tho presence of a number of steel cylinders of compressed, gas used in dental operations. . Horso chemical engines from Jjiicufield and Chester streets arrived on ■the scene shortly after the first (motor) detachments, but were not required. Most of the furnishings in the rraat-ing-room were destroyed or badly damaged, while the walls wore severely scorched. INCENDIARISM APPARENT.

The fire was unquestionably the work of an incendiary. The only rooms actually affected were those occupied by Messrs Goyon and King, surgeon dentists, carrying on separate ■businesses. Their rooms are situated on the first floor, and are reached dither by an electric lift or a flight of stairs. From the landing a double swing-door opening from tho centre loads into tho waiting-room. This door is usually kept locked, and was presumably locked on the night before tho fire, as both establishments were closed for tho hoHday, and both Messrs Goyon and King are away from town. Entrance had been effected by the use of an auger, the lock being completely out away. It was inside the waiting-room that the most serious and most obvious attempt was made to fire the building. Furniture was huddled together, and the pile added to by stripping another room. Part of the contents of a tin of benzine bad been poured over the furniture (Which was of an inflammable description and consisted of heavily-padded couches and chairs). It can be Imagined that when a light was applied the heap would burn furiously. A SECOND ATTEMPT. In an adjoining room, used as a denfist’s workroom, a further attempt was made to insure that the blaze would be effective. Some highly inflammable material had been spread about tho room. An acetylene gaslamp in full blast bad been placed on top of a bundle of scrim, but by some fortunate circumstance this did ■ not ignite. In this room, however, a dentist's chair of the - ordinary padded type caught fire, and was reduced to rums. It is not apparent how the intruder entered or left the building. The front door opening from High street was locked, and thare is no other easy means of egress. The most probable theory is that the man originally (eoreted himself in the building, and sarriod out his criminal work when all was quiet. A rope hanging just outside the workroom window, but not from the window, suggests that as a way of retreat, as the rope reached to the ground dear of the buildings. The police are making inquiries into the affair. THE INSURANCES. The building is owned by Mr Herman Lewis, of "Wellington, and is insured for £7OOO, divided as follows: Sun office, £2500; Guardian, £2000; Royal, £1000; Yorkshire, £ISOO. Tho contents of King’s rooms were insured for £3OO in. the Royal Exchange office, and the contents of Goyen’s rooms in the United office for £2OO. The stock of Hacks and Co., jewellers, which was slightly damaged by chemicals used by the Fire Brigade and by water, is insured for £3OOO in the Phoenix office. The total damage dome to the building and contents affected is estimated at about £2OO.