CORONER INVESTIGATES FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1930, Page 6

CORONER INVESTIGATES FIRE

“WORTHLESS” MILL DESTROYED POLICIES FOR £l7OO EXPIRING. ‘ 'Ok By Telegraph.—Press Association. Blenheim, Last Night. Fire that destroyed an old disuseo mill at Spring Greek, known as Redwood’s flourmill and the machinery in it on the night of September 29 was investigated to-day by the coroner, who reserved his decision. The building was insured for £7OO and th* machinery foi £IOOO in the Northern Office.

Police inquiries revealed that notice had been served on the owner, Mrs. Ada Redwood, that the policies expired on ■October 1, and it was not the intention of the company to renew them as in the opinion of its expert the building and machinery had no insurable value. On September 29 fire destroyed the mill and contents.

The coroner, Mr. E. J. Hill, concluded the inquiry this evening. - The evidence revealed there was nothing inflammable in the portion of thp mill where the fire started. The only '.door giving entry was locked and the key was kept in the residence close by. Mrs. Redwood returned home about* 10.30 p.m. on the night of the fire, and when she passed the mill there was no sign of fire. A quarter of an hour afterwards an employee discovered the outbreak.