FIRE IN FUR STOREROOM

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1933, Page 9

FIRE IN FUR STOREROOM

PAPER TRAIL DISCOVERED INQUIRY HELD BY CORONER. TIME TO CONSIDER THE FINDING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night A fire which occurred in a storeroom occupied by the Arctic Fur Co., Dixon Street, on Sunday, December 18, was the subject of a coronial inquiry to-day. The proprietor of the Arctic Fur Co., Ernest Glanville Walker, gave evidence that he did not know whether the fire was deliberately caused. He lost a key the fire. He had no financial difficulties. The stock was insured for £720 and the amount of the damage was assessed at £llO. ■ The deputy-superintendent of the fire brigade said he discovered; a pile of paper and rubbish in the middle of the floor, and this was connected with the fire by a trail of paper and'cardboard boxes. In his opinion, the heap of rubbish had been placed there deliberately and the fire had been deliberately caused. Inspecting Officer Brignal said he visited the scene when the engines had returned and found the smell of kerosene and a heap of debris and shavings near the origin of the fire, also a tin containing kerosene. He considered the fire was deliberately caused. t A clerk of the Standard Insurance company said that when the proposal was made on June 6 last Walker estimated the value of the stock at £7BO and said he expected further stock, making a total value of £lOOO. Charles Henry Suisted, insurance assessor, said the value of the stock was fixed at £771 and. the damage at.£llo. Detective Murray said that persons holding keys of the building gave satisfactory statements. Inquiries established that Walker had visited Pahautanui at lunch time on the day of the fire. Walker suggested that someone had a grudge, but the police were unable to find evidence of. this. The coroner said he, would take time to consider his decision.