FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 527, 7 June 1909, Page 6

FIRES.

WAS IT AN INCENDIARY? FIRES AT RANGIORA, (dt TEnaonirn—rcKss association.) Chrlstchurch, Jnno 5. Fires at Rangiora have been frequent of late, and another occurred at four o'clock this morning, giving riso to a suspicion of inoondiarism. The outbreak, as on provious occasions, was in. avi unoccupied building. This time it, was in tho centro of tho town, and four! shops and a small office wero destroyed.

Tho fire broko out in- a small shop, tho property of Mr. Mark Scott, nearly opposite the Now Zealand Co-operativo Stores, and up to Wednosday used as a laundry by Miss MaTdoni It was about to be removod, Mr. Scott having decided to build new premises. Attached was a small office, also about to bo removed, which was vacated by tho tenant on Friday afternoon. Two shops and dwellings that adjoined, and also Scott's property, were occupied by Mr. Ball, watchmaker, and Miss Mardon. On the other side of where tho outbreak occurred'was the motor bicycle shop owned by Mr. Evans. All these premises were destroyed or gutted beyond repair. Ball's family discovered the fire in time to osoapo in their night dresses. Tho brigado did good work. ' ■■■ ■■''•'■'• \ There is good reason to believe the fire was tho work of an incendiary. Tho back door and windows had been removed preparatory to shifting.. There had been no Gre in tho building for throe or four days, and no sign of fire liad been seen by passers-by. Insurances.—On Scott's building, £375 in tho Royal office.. On Ball's stock, £250 in the Victoria, and £40. in the Standard. : On Evans'.s premises, £150 in the State office 'On ,Carter's!stocky £150,' also in tho,State office. .... •_ • Tho loss 1b considerably over tho insurance.

HOUSE TOTALLY DESTROYED. • Blenheim, Jnno 5.. A five-roomed honso in Redwood Street, owned' by the Domain Board Trustees, and occupied by Mr. J. Brymer, a fireman at tho gas .works, was totally destroyed by fiTO early this morning. Only a sewing machino was saved. The house was insured for £150 in tho Royal Exchange office; find the furniture for £50. in the Phoenix.

EGMONT HOTEL IN/DANGER.. The Egmont Trivato Hotel in Courtenay Placo, occupied by Mr. J. H. Baker, had a narrow-escape from destruction by fire during tho height of tho galo.early on Saturday, morning.' At about 3 o'clock two ladies, who occupied a room ovor the kitchen, woro awakened by flames outside their window. Tho alarm was given, and it was found that' tho kitchen was on fire. With a' gale to fan the flames, it looked as though tho outbreak would be serious, but the prompt arrival of tho Fire Brigade, which: soon gained tho upper hand, calmed tho fears of the boarders, who bad started to remove their, belongings. The brigade confined the fire to the kitchen, tho contents of which were badly damaged. The dining-rooms and three bedrooms were damaged by heat and smoke. The cause of the' outbreak is unknown. , The building, which contains 34 rooms, ■is insured for £4500 with th« • Atlas Company, and tho contents are insured for £750 in the Commercial Union.

'■~. OUTBREAK AT ISLAND BAY. . Whilo the tenants of a five-roomed dwelling in Liffoy Street, Island Bay, were out on Saturday evening,' a fire broke out in the house, how, it is not known. The alarm was, given at-7.18, and by tho time the flames wore extinguished' two of the rooms had been' badly.burnt,- whilo tho remainder were damaged by'( beat and smoke. Tho' tenant, Mr. Alfred M'Grath, had his effects insured for £75 in thd'^NationalJrißuranee Company.