MYSTERIOUS FIRES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3639, 15 October 1890, Page 2

MYSTERIOUS FIRES.

Supposed lacoudiarism. About 10.45 last evening flames . were observed to be rising from an outbuilding at the roar of the Drill Shed, Hall-street. An alarm was (jiiicltly given on the Queen-street fire bell, and the Volunteer Utigade was immediately on the scene, By their efforts the flames' were prevented from spreading, and the out'building alone was destroyed. Very little damage was done to the Drill Hall, although, had tho wind been blowing in that direction, .it must have also been destroyed.

Almost simultaneously with this fire, a building in Queen-street, owned l;y Mr G. F, • Daniell, and used by him for storing purposes, was noticed to be in flames. Another alarm was sounded, and the Municipal brigade was soon on the spot. The fire bad, however, originated in the interior of the building, and had got a good hold. A steady flow of water was kept on the flames, which (with the assistance of the Kurupuni and Volunteer brigades) were coin fined to tbo one building and were eventually subdued. The insurance, on the building destroyed was M in the London and Lancashire office. Tho contents, which were composed of glassware, oils, paints, framework etc., and were valued at £225, wore uninsured. Mr Daniel! will therefore be a heavy loser. Tho origin of the fires is unknown but the fact that both were started at precisely the same lime points conclusively to incendiarism. Mr Daniell informs us that the door of his storehouse was shut about six o'clock but. not locked.

Another strange coincidence is'that when the shed of the Volunteer Fira Brigade was opened tbis morning it was discovered that daring the night a quantity of paper had been piled in a corner anil set fire to, but beyond scorching the walls no damage was done, This deliberate attempt to burn a building bears out fully the theory ascribed above, and taking into consideration the mysterious occurrence of the previous night, calls for a searching investigation on the part of the police officials,..