NEW UNOCCUPIED HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE NEAR MARSDEN ROAD

Grey River Argus, 4 October 1948, Page 4

NEW UNOCCUPIED HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE NEAR MARSDEN ROAD

Police Investigating

The fifth mysterious fire in Greymoutli in fourteen months occurred early yesterday morning, when a new five-roomed unoccupied house in Young Street, was completely gutted. The house, which was sold two months ago by the builder, Mr A. M. Jones, of Greymouth, to Mr L. E. Haggerty, publican, of Westport, for £2OOO, was ready for occupancy. The alarm was given at 1.40 a.m., but by the time the brigade arrived, the interior was an inferno. The flames were fanned by a strong wind, and the firemen could do no more than save the walls from collapsing, and protect the house next door. The whole interior, except for a copper and wash tubs, in what was the wash house, was destroyed. Portion of the roof collapsed, and only a charred shell of what was a modern home remains. Fortunately no turnip ture had been installed. It is not known whether the building was covered by insurance.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES A disturbing feature is the fact that a door that is reported to have been locked was wide open when the lire the fire last night Police Inspector M. J. Angland, said that there was no known cause of tne fire, but in view of previous outbreaks, the matter was being very carefully investigated.