WANTON CRIME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1938, Page 4

WANTON CRIME

PAINT FACTORY SET ON FIRE v IN AUCKLAND CONTENTS OF STORAGE VATS RELEASED AUTOMATIC ALARM WORKS PROMPTLY (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 30. A determined attempt at incendiarism was frustrated by a prompt warning of fire given by an automatic alarm system installed in the factory of S. J. Best and Company, Ltd., an old-es-tablished firm of paint manufacturers in Airedale street in the city, early on Saturday evening. Damage from the fire was relatively slight, but, as a result of the taps of several score of paint and varnish vats and turpentine containers being turned on there has been a wastage of stock estimated at fully £lOOO. The fire warning was transmitted through the automatic system to the central fire station shortly after 7 o’clock. Two machines were dispatched and the outbreak was found to be centred in a basement below the street level. Although the flames were fierce, the outbreak was speedily suppressed. Subsequent examination showed the building to be in a state of chaos. In the paint grindery and mixing-room on the first floor 15 vats containing mixed paint had been allowed to I empty over the floor, 400 to 500 gallons being wasted. In the basement the control valve of a large turpentine tank had also been opened, together with the taps on a score or more of large containers in which varnish was stored.' Five hundred gallons of varnish were spread about the floor. The managing-director of the company Mr R. D. Mossman, said today that it was impossible to obtain an accurate estimate of the damage, but it would amount to at least £lOOO. He was at a loss to understand the motives for such a wanton action and it was the intention of the company to offer a reward for information . which would lead to the conviction of the incendiarist.