ANOTHER OUTBREAK OF FIRE AT THE NATIONAL HOTEL, CAMBRIDGE. Suspected Incendiarism.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1514, 18 March 1882, Page 3

ANOTHER OUTBREAK OF FIRE AT THE N A TIONAL HOTEL, CAMBRIDGE. Suspected Incendiarism.

The people of Cambridge were thrown into a state of alarm again on Thursday night last, when it became known that the National Hotel had been for the third time within » 24 hours the acene of a threatening outbreak of fire. On Wednesday night, on examination of the room in which the first fire originated, it was discovered that the room had been set fire to in no less than three places, and that the palliasses of the two beds had been ignited underneath. The washhand stand was also charred, though situated a distance of a few feet from either bed. After the fire had broken out the second time in the building, this time in room No. 7, the other being in No. 13, it was generally supposed that one had caused the other, through some of the burning material having blown down the passage into the room, and coming in contact witli some inflammable matter, having smouldered for some time and then broken out. The damage done by the second outbreak was principally to the wearing apparel of Mr Dyer, who occupied the room, and the wall was considerably charred. There was no specially imported inflammable matter, such as kerosene, found in the vicinity of either fire. During Thursday the question of how the fire could possibly have originated was discussed in every possible light, some inclining to think that it originated from the carelessness of some of the boarders, while others were of the opinion that it was the deliberate attempt of some malicious person. During the time the boarders were all at tea on Thursday night the occupants of the hotel were again alarmed by the cry of "fire." This time the servant's bedroom was in a blaze, both beds having been set fire to from below. The passage upstairs was filled with smoke, and it was thought that the fire had got a pioper hold. Fortunately this was not the case, for within a few minutes it was completely extinguished. This room is situated in a different part of the house entirely from where the fire broke out the previous night. It now became apparent that an incendiary was at work, and bent on accomplishing his fiendish determination. From all appearances the person is well acquainted with the house, but as yet suspicion has fallen on nobody. At about the time of the fire on Wed nesday night a person was seen to hurry downstairs and run out through the back yard in the direption of Hunter's saleyards, but those who have seen him cannot describe his appearance. The police watched the house on Thuisday night until morning, and doubtless if another attempt is made the incendiary will find himself in pioper hands.