FIRES AT MORRINSVILLE.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 12, 4 January 1924, Page 2

FIRES AT MORRINSVILLE.

WORK OF INCENDIARIST Three Simultaneous Outbreaks Three simultaneous outbreaks oi fire, which certainly point to the work of an incendiarist, occurred at Morrinsville at about 1.30 a.m. yesterday, but owing to the promptitude and • efficiency of the volunteer fire brigade very little damage was done. The fires occurred at three different buildings in Canada street, near the railway station, the first blaze noticed being - outside a joinery factory belonging to Mr. 11. R. Humphreys, the next at a chaff store owned by the National Trading Co., and the third at the carriage entrance of the National Trading Co.’s grocery store. It was found that one fire started in a heap of rubbish saturated with kerosene. The police are investigating the matter. When the alarm was given by a nearby resident only a very short time elapsed before the brigade was on the scene, and a word of praise is due to them and to Superintendent G. Y. Canton for the way in which he handled his men. The joinery factory is a black building at the hack of a block of shops, and with a lead of hose taken through Messrs. Booth Bros, motor garage this fire was soon under control. In the meantime, however, the other two outbreaks were noticed and all three had to be. fought at the same time. This is the first call the Morrinsville brigade has had for over a year, but the value of each town having its own brigade is demonstrated by the fact that prompt action by an organised and an efficient body of men saved considerable loss. Had the National Trading Co.’s store got properly ablaze nothing could have prevented the destruction of also an adjoining boardinghouse.