RANSACKED AND SET ON FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1929, Page 1

RANSACKED AND SET ON FIRE

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1.3

The home of Mr and Airs K. .T. Bell, Antigua Street, was ransacked and thrown into a state of disorder by burglars and finally set on fire last night. 'Phe persons responsible made a systematic search of the house and escaped, leaving it ablaze, and but for tlie timely arrival of the Christchurch Fire Brigade extensive damage must have resulted, for a strong easterly wind was blowing, and the house, which is a wooden structure, would have burned readily.

As it was the blaze was confined to the kitchenette and extinguished. The kitchenette and contents were badly damaged, Ibut only minor damage from heat and smoke resulted to the four rooms which make up the main part of the house. Adjoining the house is a workshop and motor garage, but no damage was done to these. Mr and Mrs Bell had gone out early in the evening, leaving the house securely locked, and no fires were left burning. They returned to find the' brigade busy extinguishing the fire.

The housebreakers left a. scene of chaos in their wake. Two bedrooms presented evidence of having been subjected to a hasty but thorough ransacking. Bedding was pulled off the beds and strewn about- the rooms, while drawers which had been emptied of their contents had been tossed on to the floor. Cupboards had been rifled and clothing in the wardrobes, by its ruffled and disorderly appearance, clearly indicated that it had not been overlooked. In other rooms there was the same evidence of rifled cupboards and emptied drawers.

Alter searching the four main rooms the burglars came upon an iron sale in a corner of the kitchenette, ibis was not opened although it is thought that an attempt was made to force

Tlie burglars sought to cover up their tracks by setting the house on fire. At ten o’clock, flames bursting from a window at tlie hack ol the house attracted the attention of a neighbour, who raised the alarm. At the time the street was practically deserted, but one resident stated that he had seen three men hanging about the vicinity earlier in the evening. They were walking slowly up and down the road on Cm; opposite side to Mr Bell’s house. After two or three such trips they went away. Mr and Airs Bell stated last night that tjiey were unable to say wliat they had lost, as the place* was in such a state of disorder, and they would have to wait for daylight before they could make sure.