RACECOURSE FIRE.
BLAZE AT CAULFIELD,. SIGNS OF INCENDIARISM. BQMBS AND PETROL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Melbourne, Oct. 21. At 4.10 this morning the members' stand, the Press room, the weighing loom, and the judge’s box at Caulfield, racecourse were burned to the ground. The public stand is intact. The races will proceed as usual. Received October 22, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, Oct. 22. The fire which early on Saturday morning caused serious damage to the Caulfield racecourse property is surrounded with mysterious circumstances. The course watchman hoard a series of what sounded like explosions, and running to tne members’ stand he found it ablaze from end to end. The box in front was also ablaze. The members’ stand, which also in* eluded some official offices, the weighing room, the Press room and the publia telegraph offices, were doomed from the. first. Fire brigades, which were quickly on the scene, confined their efforts to saving the other stands and which were saved after great efforts< The members’ stand was gutted.
Investigations point to incendiarism. A resident near the course reported that he distinctly heard explosions about the time of the outbreak. It is stated traces of bombs were discovered among the ruins, and also that petrol wan freely used. Tracks of a motor car, which was heard in the vicinity shortly before the fire, were traced leading from the course. The fire threw the day’s arrangements nil out of gear, but temporary quarters for the burnt out officials and telegraphists were expeditiously made and the meeting progressed, though it is necee* sarily attended by much inconvenience. The damage is estimated at £lO,OOO. The police are conviriced the fire is the result of incendiarism. The club has offered a reward of £5OO.
One of the heaviest losers is ths caterer, who had prepared the members’ luncheon overnight, and £l2OO in the shape of victuals, linen and glassware went up in flames. Bookmakers suffered much inconvenience, many losing bags, papers and other property All sorts of makeshifts were adopted by the club and others to supply the deficiencies, and despite the drawbacks the meeting passed off without any serious hitch.
ANOTHER SIMILAR FIRE. OUTBREAK IN TASMANIA. Received October 22, 5.5 p.m. Hobart, Oct. 22. ’ Early on Saturday morning fire destroyed horse boxes at the Norths 11 racecourse. The totalisator house and the grandstand were narrowly saved by the prompt action of a railway employee, who discovered the outbreak. Incendiarism is suspected.
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Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1922, Page 5
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406RACECOURSE FIRE. Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1922, Page 5
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