SENSATIONAL FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1921, Page 10

SENSATIONAL FIRE.

BLAZE IN MELBOURNE. CHARGE OF INCENDIARISM. A sensational fire occurred in Melbourne on April 13, when three floors of a five-storeyed brick structure, known as Nunan’s Buildings, in Swanston Street, were gutted. . Miss Gertrude Riley, wlfo was on the top floor when the fire broke out, perished in the flames, after telephoning to her employer. Describing the fire, the Melbourne Argus stated that the point of origin was the south-west corner of the third floor, the whole of which was occupied by the Federated Feature Films, Ltd., in the north side of which 17,000 ft or films were stored. Just before 6 p.m. a constable saw smoke belch from a third-floor window. He rushed to break a street alarm, and almost simultaneously a noise which is variously described as a series of explosions and “a loud sustained swish” was heard. In an incredibly short time four terrific tongues of flame shot through the roof, and soon afterwards flames were belching from every window of the fourth and third floors. xA. police officer who viewed the outbreak said it was “very like a cinema show —one of those that the more level-headed of the audience describe'as a little overdone.” It was estimated that in building and stock about £20,000’ worth was destroyed. VFhen interviewed after the fire, Mr. M. Pihentel, managing director of Federated Feature Films, Limited, the occupants of the third floor, said the studio contained 17,000 ft of cinematograph film and about £7'so worth of scenery and furniture for moving-picture production. The whole was insured for £O5O. “I left the studio a.t about 20 minutes to six, and just after I left the building I heard shouts,” Mr. Pimentel said. “When I looked up the studio was a mass of flames. These must have been caused by the films. I rushed back and helped a man to switch off the electric light, and I was then helpless. There was no fire in the studio when I left, and so far as I know there was no fire in the building whatever.” On, April 18, the police arrested Morton Parker Pimentel, and charged him with having, on April 13, feloniously, unlawfully, and maliciously set fire to Numan’s Buildings with intent to commit fraud. In the Police Court, a detective said it was alleged that accused had been seen to leave the building by the lift, and three minutes later longues of flame broke from the third floor of the building, and fire and cinders also came down the lift-well. That floor was occupied by Federated Feature Films, Limited, and accused was the managing director of that company. It was further alleged that Gertrude Riley had been on the top floor, and had perished in the flames. The accused was remanded on bail.