INCENDIARISM IS SUSPECTED IN SYDENHAM FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18888, 14 October 1929, Page 16

INCENDIARISM IS SUSPECTED IN SYDENHAM FIRE.

STABLES DESTROYED; BLAZE STARTED IN SHOP

Strongly suspicious circumstances 11 surround a fire yesterday morning' > which destroyed the stables attached to the butcher's shop of Mr A. G. Bull in Colombo Street. Sydenham. A further fire, which had gone out of its own accord, was found in the office of the s shop. The fire was discovered by a police, patrol shortly after four o'clock, when it already had a strong hold. Engines 1 from both the Sydenham and Central Fire Stations turned out. but were able to do little, as the whole building was * a mass of flames. Blazing as it was, ‘ the fire seriously threatened the shop and house in front, and a house at the side was in considerable danger. The - firemen by good work, however, were 1 able to prevent the fire reaching any of these buildings. The stables were badly burnt, as also I were three delivery carts and two sets of harness which were stored in the place. Fortunately the horse is not kept in the stables, except during the winter months. The exact extent of the damage cannot yet be ascertained, •as Mr Bull is at present in Kaikoura, where he is arranging to open another shop. The fire appears to have started in the feeding-box in the middle of the stable. Here the damage is most extensive. There was a certain amount of fat in the stables at the time waiting to be removed, and this, combined with the straw, spread the fire very quickly. Yesterday morning, when the police conducted further investigations, it was found that another fire had been started in the office of the shop. Paper placed in a corner had been set alight, but had burnt out without doing further damage than the burning off of some of the wallpaper. Mr A. Bull, jun, was the last person in the shop on Saturday. The shop was scrubbed out on Saturday afternoon, and Mr Bull locked up about 4.50 p.m. Yesterday morning the catch on a back window appeared to have been forced and a door connecting this room with the office was found open. Mr Bull stated that he locked this door before leaving. Nothing appeared to be missing from the place. Mr A. Wilson, who resides in the house at the back of the stables, stated yesterday that he knew nothing of the blaze until he was roused by the crackling of the flames. He did not hear anything of a suspicious nature. Mr Wilson has two dogs, both of which are very suspicious of strangers and he stated that had there been anyone around the place he would probably have been awakened by them. , .

Entrance to the stables is fairly easy. There is a house attached to the shop, but this has been unoccupied during the past week. This house faces Colombo Street and there is a narrow passage along the side of it giving entrance to°the stable yard. This was the entrance used by a burglar who broke into the place some months ago. The other entrance, direct to the stableyard, is by way of an iron gate from Elgin Street. This gate, about five feet high, though fastened witli a looked chain, would not prove a very difficult obstacle to an agile man. The premises are leased by Mr Bull, who resides at 15, Spring Grove Avenue. Addington, and are the property of Mrs F. Freeman, of 5 Dyers Pass Road, Cashmere. The insurances were not available yesterday.