WILFULLY FIRED PREMISES

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1927, Page 13

WILFULLY FIRED PREMISES

TIN'S OF PETROL DISCOVERED. GUILTY PERSON NOT FOUND. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The inquiry concerning a fire in an Addington cycle shop, occupied by Hugh Patrick McGloin, on June 18, when Superintendent Warner and Fireman Russ were injured, was held to-day before Mr. Lawry, S.M. The evidence at the inquiry was that the fire was in the attic, apparently having started in a heap of rubbish. Deputy-Superintendent Blake stated that he had found in the attic a tin of benzine with the top cut open. It was three-quarters full and covered with an old coat. One tin was upset and this caused the burns to the two injured men. Harold Rogers Branch (manager of the State Fire Office)’ said McGloin had insured his stock in the State Office in September, 1926, for £250. The stock was then valued at £368. At the time of the fire the stock had been assessed at £l2B. McGloin, in giving evidence, said he would have valued the stock at £2OO at the time of the fire. The Magistrate: Do you suspect that somebody set fire to the shop? Witness; Well, of course, every man has his enemiee, but I wouldn’t like to lay suspicion on anybody. The Magistrate found that the contents were insured at least double the cost of replacement, and benzine was stored on the premises in excess of the quantity allowed under the insurance policy. The premises were wilfully set on fire, he said, but there was not sufficient evidence to establish by whom.