FIRE FIENDS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1929, Page 5

FIRE FIENDS

MAYOR’S HOUSE SET ON FIRE

jy TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 2-5

Aii attempt was made to-night to burn down the residence of Mayor J. K. Archer. The house was not totally destroyed, but damage to the extent of £2OO or £3OO was done. The, loss was covered by insurance. Mayor Archer was attending a dinner being held in connection with the Canterbury Rugby Union Jubilee Celebrations when he received a telephone message saying that his house was on tire. He dashed home and found the Brigade already busy with a serious fire. Good work was done by the Brigade in saving the house from destruction. ■ '*

There was ample evidence that the fire was of an incendiary origin’-j’Eveiy room had been ransacked and fires had been started in four rooms, . Lv.

In Mayor Archer’s study and library, all the drawers had been pulled open, jjnd the contents strewn upon the floor. A pile of papers which had been put down' beside a desk were set on fire, but fortunately little damage was done here, for Mayor Archer’s library is a valuable one.

In other rooms all likely places' for valuables had been searched thorough-

ly- ‘ In the dining room a fire started there did much damage, the room being completely gutted-> In the kitchen a pile of furniture and pictures had .een thrown together and ignited. A ,fire also had been started in one bedroom. Every window in the house bad been thrown open, probably to allow the; breeze to fan the flames.