FIRE IN WELLINGTON

Southland Times, Issue 20445, 24 March 1928, Page 8

FIRE IN WELLINGTON

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, March 23. Another inquiry was held upon a fire in a building in Willie street. A representative of the Fire Board said the circumstances pointed to a deliberate attempt to burn it down. The building was owned by A. H. Wallace and was insured for £l5OO. The fire occurred in a room occupied by A. W. Phipps, a tailor by occupation. Evidence w r as given that kerosene was all about and a tin of it vas found in another room. Phipps had three rooms in all. He had a policy for £5OO and the insurance company paid him £149. Phipps was not called and Watson said he was not sure Phipps knew the inquiry was being held. The inquiry was adjourned to obtain his attendance but as he could not be found it was further adjourned till to-day. At the conclusion of the evidence the Magistrate (Mr E. Page S.M.) said that he thought the logical inference was that the fire had been caused purposely and not accidentally. “I think,” added Mr Page, ‘that it was caused by some person, but the evidence does not disclose who it was.”