MYSTERIOUS FIRES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14840, 4 December 1913, Page 10

MYSTERIOUS FIRES.

IN THREE AUCKLAND DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENTS. FEELING OF UNEASINESS. . t-*S__SS ASSOCIATION TELIGUAM.) AUCKLAND, December 3. Outbreaks of fire occurred in three of the largest drapery stores in the city. There is a feeling of uneasiness and a suspicion that incendiaries ars at work. _-»_ c-j. i _.•_!.* i.— _._ _~.'__,___-t- •

Outbreaks of fire occurred in three of the largest drapery stores in the city. There is a feeling of uneasiness and a suspicion that incendiaries ars at work. On Saturday night by an outbreak in the promise-; of JAilna and Choyc* £1000 worth of da_a*£s was done. Th* fire occurred in a larc« stand of fancy goods and laces near the window »bout 8 p.m., though the shop was closed at 1 p.m. Last night about 9 o'clock a fire was discovered between two counters in tho premises of John Court, draper, in Queen street, but was extinguished fore much damage was done. Subsequently a quantity of carbide was discovered, indicating that tho fire was started by that medium.

A third outbreak occurred on the premises of Smith aud Caughey, drapers, etc.. in Queen street at five o clock this morning. The firei brigade received the alarm from the automatic system installed there. On entering the premises the brigade found that their services were only necessary to turn off the water. It appears that the fire started in a cabinet containing reels of cotton and extended to a table containing fancy goods, all of which were destroyed. The heat of the flames had burst a glass bulb over the table, the effect being to automatically turn a deluge of water on the burning mass. The damage is estimated at about £1000.

The police are investigating all three fires.