FIRE IN CRAIG’S STABLES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 8

FIRE IN CRAIG’S STABLES.

SUSPICION OF INCENDIARISM. AUCKLAND, Juno 2,

Mr E. C. Cutten, S.M., gave his verdict this afternoon upon the result of his investigations into the circumstances surrounding the disastrous fire which destroyed Messrs Craig’s stables, at Parnell and 200 horses on the night of April 22. After discussing various theories to account for the origin of the fire, the coroner said: —“The only other explanation is that the building was set on fire by incendiary means. It would bo a simple matter to pour a quantity of kerosene over some of the bales of compressed straw, which would absorb a considerable quantity of liquid, and would on ignition give a steady and continuous blaze of groat heat. It would produce a great quantity of extremely inflammable vapour, and once the fire broke through the floor this vapour would account for the sudden outbreak and the quick and complete destruction of the main building, without relying on the contents to bring about the result. The bales saturated would act as a huge wick, and would not necessarily be themselves consumed, and the fact that the bales were not consumed, notwithstanding what must have been in the basement, is a very noticeable feature about the fire.” However, the coroner said, tho evidence did not justify a verdict of incendiarism. It was evidence of a purely negative character, the elimination of apparently all possible theories of accident leaving a strong suspicion that the fire was not accidental. Tire finding was that tho evidence was insufficient to show the cause and origin of the fire, though it appeared probable that it was due to incendiarism on the part of some person or persons unknown.