ANOTHER FIRE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12399, 14 November 1908, Page 2

ANOTHER FIRE.

I v - -^ OUTBREAK IN TRAFALGAR STREET SOUTH. A SUSPICIOUS CASE. Shortly after half past eleven o'clock last night, a fire was discovered, under circumstances which leave no doubt that it was the work of an incendiary, in an outhouse at the back of the residence of Mr Herbert Maitland, in Trafalgar street sou,th. At the time stated the housemaid j heard some one pass the window oi her room, apparently walking quickly or running from the' back of the/ house to the street. She immediately informed Mr Maitland of the circumstance, and he ran out to pursue the intruder. When he reached the yard, Mr Maitland discovered that the outhouse was on fire in one corner, the flames running up 'the wall. He then turned his attention to suppressing the flames, which a few "buckets of water sufficed to get under control. By the time assistance arrived all danger to the" house, separated from the washhous by only a narrow pathway, had been averted. The flames were seen from Mr John Graham's house, opposite, and Mr Graham immediately rang up the Police Station to which it is customary to communicate alarms of fire at night, there being neither a telephone nor an attendant at the Fire Brigade Station. Failing to get any response from the police Mr Graham- was switched on to a neighbouring houjse, I and the firebelLat the central station •>vjs rung. Mr. Graham also apprised "The Colonist" office of the outbreak, and,;an alarm was promptly given from the bell in Hardy street. The Brigade turned out with great promptitude, and had its appliances on the scene of the fire within a few minutes. Its services were not required, however. An examination of the building resulted in the discovery, in tho corner in which the fire had broken out, of a case in which remained a ..quantity of torn paper and other refuse, which had been saturated with kerosene. There was also a distinct odour of -kerosene on. the walls and floor. The police have the matter in hand, and it is to be trusted that their efforts will result in. the speedy apprehension of the incendiary.. •,';,. ,v The method in vogue of calling the Fire Brigade into action is in keeping with the absurdly antiquated -facilities provided for fire prevention purposes in the city. The Police Station being next door to the' Fire Brigade" Station, it is the custom to telephone to it on the occasion of an outbreak of fire, but it is stated that after 11 p.m. no one is on duty at the Police Station, the telephone then being switched on to an officer's residence. There must therefore be some delay before an alarm. _ can be given. On the previous night no alarm was given for the fire at Mr R. Allan's residence until the glare was noticed from the city, for the same reason. It appears to be' high time that, a telephone was installed in the Fire Brigade Station, and an official kept ■ there at night to . receive alarms. - "