A DISASTROUS FIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3208, 7 June 1909, Page 5

A DISASTROUS FIRE.

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 5. Fires at Rangiora have been frequent of late, and another occurred at our o'clock this morning, giving rise to the suspicion of incendiarism. The outbreak, as on previous occasions, was in an unoccupied building in the centre of the town, and four shops and a small office were destroyed. The fire broke out in a small shop, the property of Mark Scott, nearly opposite the New Zealand Co-operative Stores. Up to Wednesday it had been used as a laundry by Miss Mardon, but was about to be removed, Mr Scott having,: decided* to build new premises. Attached to it as a small office, which was vacated by the ten* ant on Friday afternoon. Two shops and dwellings adjoining, also Mr Scott's property, were occupied by Mr Ball (watchmaker) and Miss Mardon. The other side of where the ' outbreak occurred was the motor * bicycle shop of J. Carter, Mr R. Evans being the proprietor. . AH these premises were destroyed or gutted beyond repair. Mr Ball's family discovered the fire in time to ecape in their nightdresses. The brigade did good work. There is good reason to belisve that the fire was the work of an incendiary. The back door and windows had been removed preparatory to shifting. There was no fire in the building for three or four days, and no sign of fire had been seen by passers-by. Insurances: Scott's building, £375 in the Royal; Ball's stock, £250 in the Victoria, £4O in the Standard; Evans' premises, £l5O in the State; Carter's stock, £l5O also in the State.