FIRE FIENDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 7

FIRE FIENDS

MAYOR’S HOUSE SET ON FIRE

INCENDIARISM AT CHRISTCHURCH i ROOMS RANSACKED (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. An attempt was made last nigliL to burn clown the residence of the Mayor, the Rev. J. K. The house was not totally destroyed, hut damage to the extent of £2OO or £3OO was done. The loss is covered by insurance. Mr Archer was attending a dinner being held in connection with the Canterbury Rugby Union jubilee celebrations, when he received a, telephone message stating that his house was on fire. He dashed home and found the .brigade already busy with a. serious fire. There was ample evidenco that the fire was of incendiary origin. Every room had been ransacked and fires started in four rooms.

In Mr-Archer’s study and library all drawers had'been pulled open and the contents strewn on. the floor. A pile of papers had heerr put down beside the desk and set on fire, but fortunately little damage was done here, for Mr Archer’s library is a valuable one. Tri other rooms all likely places for valuables bad been searched thoroughly. In the dining room a fire was started arid did much damage, the room being completely gutted. In. the kitchen a . pile of furniture and pictures had been thrown together and ignited. A firo' had also been started in one bedroom. ; Every window in the liouso was thrown open, probably allow the breeze to fan the flames.