TWO FIRES IN A COTTAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 275, 12 April 1913, Page 6

TWO FIRES IN A COTTAGE.

WAS TIIEIIK ANY CONNECTION? MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY. An inquest was held in the Magistrates'* Court yesterday, over which the District Coroner (Mr. A. Crooke, S.M.) presided, into the circumstances of a lire, on March 25, which gutted an old three-roomed cottage at the corner of Elliot and C'ourtenay streets, owned by Mrs. Crocker and occupied by an old lady named Mrs. Wroth. The enquiry was held at the instance of the Fire' Board, on whose behalf Mr. V. C. J. Bcllringer, Superintendent of the Brigade, appeared. Senior-Sergeant Haddrell conducted the case for the police. Mary A. E. Crocker, wife of S. Crocker, storekeeper, Devon street, said that she valued the building at about £2OO. It Vas insured in the South British Office for £IOO. Tlie*first outbreak oecured on the evening of March 24, but witness did not inspect the building on that occasion. Early next morning there was a fresh outbreak, which gutted the building. Witness attributed the origin of tlie fire to the ignition of an accumula-, tion of rubbish at the back door of the cottage and against the wall. Witness could not think of anybody (an "enemy"), who would do her the injury of sotting her house on fire. The rent was 0s a week.

To Mr. Bellringer: There was twelve months rent in arrears. This period did not refer to the last six months of the tenancy. Mrs. W,roth had ' stated that she thought she heard some drunken people on the verandah, but witness thought the noise must have resulted from" the arrival of the Fire Brigade. Hugh A .Cholwell. representing the South British Fire Insurance Company. said the risk on the cottage was an old standing one, having been in the office for over 20 years. It was very hard to estimate the value of the cottage, but 'it would take at least £2OO to re-erect it. The £IOO insurance was a poor risk, although he did not think the building was worth £2OO. The damage was assessed at £95.

To Mr. Bellringer: He did not thiiik there was anything in the policy governing the use of gas-rings and oil stoves. Alfred Boon, sub-superintendent of the New Plymouth Fire Brigade, in his evidence, said that when he arrived at the fire, shortly after the alarm Was given, there was very little fire at the back and'with the assistance of two lads it was. soon extinguished. After remaining a short time the brigade left, thinking that the fire was out. The outbreak originated outside the building. The fire was between the chimney and the wall, where there was a collection of rubbish. Witness was..amongst one of the first to arrive at the subsequent fire in the early hours of the morning. The flames were then bursting through the front door and widows. The second fire had started in the interior of the building, there being no Are where the original outbreak had occurred. He concluded that it had started the right-hand side of the fireplace in the middle of the middle room. It would be difficult to sav whether there was any connection between the two fires.

To Mr. Bellringer: He was quite satisfied that every precaution had been taken on the occasion of the first call to thoroughly extinguish thn fire. Before lie left lie made a thorough inspection of the building. As far as he could see the (ire was out. He did not think it was possible that any fire could have got from the scene of the first outbreak to the latter fire. He could, however, only presume that the second fire took place where it did. He was greatly surprised

when he found the second outbreak. He could not say whether it was reasonable find so many kerosene rags about \the premises. The rags were in the recess where the first outbreak occurred, and had apparently been used for cleaning lamps. To the Coroner: He had no idea how the first fire originated, nor the second. Norman Johnston, of the firm of Johnston' Bros., storekeeprs, who was one of the first to arrive at the second fire, gave corroborative evidence. Owen A. Bond, a Sergeant-Ma jor in the Defence Force, who resides in the vicinity of the fire, deposed to having twice visited the cottage; first at the time of the fire and later on about an hour afterwards. On the second occasion he descried a small curl of smoke issuing from the place of the original outbreak, but. search revealed no fire. After waitins for about 20 minutes, in

"ompativ with Mr. Cobham, who re- • n-ed the old lady's bedding to her new ■ii-'■. lie left, feeling that there was nothing to givp cause for alarm. He '.•::■.k iv k surprised to hear later on that ii second fir" Inn] hrokon out. as he was '"it satisfied ; n his own mind that the f.v,. V . M completely extinguished. Tt was ?.„■ n,is reason that he came hack after :'. ii"-- of an hour. Walter Cobham, cabinetmaker, who vos'dert on the opposite corner to the P■•»■>. pv« evidence to the effect that ll ""<> ■ ■ no indications of fire when )i > the cottage. Witness also stated that Mrs. Wroth had told him that it was very possible that after cleaning her lamp she had thrown her rags outside between the chimney and the wall. Mrs. Wroth knew nothing of the second fire, being asleep in witness's house nt the time.

This closed the case for the police, and Mr. Bellringer then gave evidence on his own behalf. He had attended, he stated.

both outbreaks. Before leaving, on the first occasion, he was thoroughly satisn "' l f hat the fire had been extinguished.

Tn h's opinion the fire had not spread to the inside of the building. During the progress of the fire; he had his doubts as to whether the two outbreaks had any connection: The day following the fire ho had made an inspection of the building in fompany with the Chairman of the Fire (Board. The floor had been completely burnt through and there was evidence of pieces of kapoe and matting having been hi the corner of the room. He could not. from bis examination, find anv connection 'between the two fires. There were clear indications that the fire had burnt outwards from the inside. The circumstances were such that ■nn enquiry was directed to be held by the Chairman of the Fire Hoard. To the Coroner: He could form no other opinion of the origin of the fin than that SOMEBODY HAD BEEN TO THE COTTAGE. Tt could not be attributed to spontaneous combustion for the day had been showery. There had been no fire in the range for a considerable time past. AX OPEX VERDTCT. Summing up, the Coroner said that he was not able on the evidence to find out the cause of the fire. The rise certainly presented some peculiar features. He scouted the idea of spontaneous combustion. Tf there was a connect ion between (lie first fire and the second it was merely a matter of conjecture. Some person with some malicious intention may have got in and started the second fire, but they could only presume. 1T,,, der tlie circumstances lie could onlv return nu open verdict.