SUSPICIOUS FIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 1

SUSPICIOUS FIRE

OUTBREAK IN EDENDALE STRANGE EXPLOSION AT NIGHT A deliberate attempt to set fire to a house in Edendale occurred on Tuesday evening at about 9.30 o’clock. Nfeighbours heard an explosion at that hour and rushed out to see a volume of smoke Issuing from the house. They called the fire brigade and the police Immediately. The flames were quickly extinguished and very little damage was done to the residence. Subsequent investigations by detectives showed that a quantity of benzine had been poured over various articles in the house. Many of them were saturated with this highly inflammable liquid. There is no explanation of the explosion. The house is situated at 13 Cambourne Road, Edendale, and is owned by Mr. H. Barker, who carries on business as a tobacconist and hairdresser in Victoria Street. He had been “baching” in the house with a companion. On Tuesday morning, fairly early, they left for the Manukatt Harbour, where they proposed spending some days. Mr. Barker did not know anything of the outbreak until the following day, „ '