Police Investigating Incendiarism At Greymonth Factory

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1948, Page 2

Police Investigating Incendiarism At Greymonth Factory

The police are investigating a fire which was set and lit under Sotheran’s Ltd.’s joinery factory in Arney Street, Greymouth, on Monday night or yesterday morning. When the employees arrived at the factory at 7.30 a.ni. yesterday, the building was full of smoke. The fire brigade was summoned, although no general alarm was given. An engine from the Central Station was sent out to quell the fire.

Investigation after the fire revealed that thick smoke was caused by a small fire beneath the main factory building floor. Th e suggestion was that the fire was not accidental, but one which had been set. The factory had been closed since Thursday last, and when the source of the fire was traced it was found that a pile of shavings had been wellstacked.

Had there not been an up draught in the building the fire, which is. believed to have smouldered all night would probably have flared up and set light to the whole of the building. No structural damage, was caused to the building and it is thought that it may have been the work of. children.