INCENDIARISM

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 27, 1 February 1913, Page 3

INCENDIARISM

FOURTH FIRE ON ARAHURA KEROSENE USED AND VENTILATOR BLOCKED For the fourth lime, with more method and even less success than on the previous occasiuns, an attempt has been made to fire the s.s. Arahuia. Afc 7.20 p.m. yesterday the alarm was given that an outbreak had occurred in one of the ladies cabins where smoke was seen issuing from a, doorway. On 16th January three outbreaks of fire occurred within the space of three hours, and it will be remembered that these conflagrations were regarded suspiciously by the authorities. These fires ttere not explained away, but last evertimr's happening goes a long way to prove that they were the result of foul play. Ye&terday the blaze was in the same part of the ship. The vessel arrived in port on Wednesday evening, and by 5 o'clock on Thursday work ceased on board, and the ship wa& practically deserted. For some time following the last outbreaks a watch was kept on board, but this precaution was not taken on this occasion. At about 6 o'clock last evening, however, some painters, who had been, working below, left the vessel for the shore, and nothing untoward was noticeable then. An hour later two stewards named Ransome and Cotterill had reason to go below, when the former smelt fire in the second-class saloon. Smoke vas seen coming through a doorway, and the alarm was immediately given. The third officer, Mr. V. B. Siepen, was informed; and in very little time he had a lead of hose at the scene of the outbreak. The brigade was also called out, but before its arrival the blaze was extinguished. It was found, on inspection, that the trouble had begun in a lower bunk, much as on the last occasion. This time, however, the offender had been- at more pains to make his work effective, and he had soaked the bedding with kerosene. Moreover, lie had blocked up a \'entilator with rags, so that the tell-tale smoke would not be allowed access to the upper decks, as on the last occasion. So complete were these preparations that thpre is not the least doubt that a serious fire would have been the result if it had at first gone unnoticed. Cotterill, the forecabin steward, who discovered the previous three fires, said that when he was on board at 6 o'clock last evening there was then no sign of any conflagration. Detectives from the Lambton office made investigations last evening after the brigade left. Mr. Siepen was on watch when the alarm was given, and he was patrolling the boat deck near the particular ventilator which had been blocked with rags. Had it been left open there is little doubt that he would have seen the smoke. The actual damage was slight, and was confined to a mattrass and one or two blankets. The wall of the cabin was charred somewhat.