OUTBREAK IN TRAFALGAR STREET SOUTH.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12405, 21 November 1908, Page 6 (Supplement)

OUTBREAK IN TRAFALGAR STREET SOUTH.

A SUSPICIOUS CASE. -. ', '("The Colonist," Nov. W.) Shortly after half past eleven o'clock last night, a fire was discovered, Hinder 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 south. At the time stated the housemaid heard some one pass the window of 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 lie 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. Ho 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 wore 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 responso from, the police Mr Graham was switched on to a neighbouring house, and the iirebell at the central station was 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 jipwever. Au examination of the building resulted in the discovery, in the 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 polico have the matter in hand, and it is to be trusted that their- efforts will result in the speedy 'apprehension of the incendiary. 'Die method in vogue of calling the Fire Brigade into action is in keeping with 'the absurdly antiquated faciiifieS' provided for fireoprcvention purposes in the city. The Police Station* being next door to the Fire Brigade 1 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 tho 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. . A tire occurred on November 12th at a two storied shed at the rear of a cottage occupied by Mr J. Coapinan in a lane off Alton street. Members of the police ' and the Fire Brigade responded promptly to the alarm, ;an<i there being a good pressure of water, the H3mes were s/K>n under control. The shed, which was almost wholly destroyed; was used as a washhouaa, and the.cause of the outbreak is notknown, as there had not been afire in the building sinc9 Monday. (The housa, which is only separated -from the ehed by a few'fee,fc, sustained no damage. The cottage is owned by Mr J. Scott, of the Wood.' :'"•■ ■-