SUSPECTED INCENDIARISM.

Evening Star, Issue 3627, 7 October 1874, Page 3

SUSPECTED INCENDIARISM.

Shortly after eight o’clock last evening the fire-bell rang a few peals and then stopped. Large crowds of people turned out, and the Fire Brigade were quickly at their posts, but it appears the fire had been easily extingushed. It broke out in a house in Rattray street occupied by Mrs Schmidt, whose husoand died from injuries received some time ago at a fire in George street. Mrs Schmidt says that about five minuses past eight o’clock last night she was sitting ua the parlor, facing Rattray street, with Arse of the boarders who stay in her house, when she and the gentlemen heard a noise of something falling three times. On the third occasion she went to see the oanse, and saw that the bedroom, adjoining the kitchen was on fire. Assistance was obtained, and the fire was seen extinguished. Mrs Schmidt bad, about ten minut s before the fire, Been a man in the back yard, and on the previous night she had also seen a man go from her yard to the brewery yard adjoining, that being the back way into Rattray street; but, owing to the darkness, she could not give any description of him. A pane in the kitchen window was broken through which anything could have been thrown. The fire appears to have started on a shelf just opposite the window. The furniture is insured for UfiO, and the house, which belongs to Mr Kennedy for L 260. Mrs Schmidt knows of no reason for supposing the act was committed by anyone having a grudge against her, but says no light was left in the kitchen or in the adjoining bed-room, fund therefore cannot account

for the fire breaking out. The police are in possession of information which leads them to suspect a man of causing the fire, and steps will doubtless be taken in the matter.