SUSPICIOUS FIRES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 January 1931, Page 4

SUSPICIOUS FIRES

LABOURER ARRESTED

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

NAPIER, 4th January* Two fires which appear to have been the outcome of incendiarism occurred in • Napier on Saturday, one in the earlv hours of the morning and the other late at night. In the first case slight damage was done to St. Patrick’s Church, a very large wooden building in Munro street, and in the second case an untenanted house of six rooms was completely, gutted. The fire at the Catholic church was first noticed shortly before 3 a.m. by a resident in the vicinit'* and on the arrival of the brigade it was discovered that the steps and flooring at a side entrance were alight. The flames were extinguished before any very extensive damage was done. The unoccupied six-roomed house was in Harvey road, Napier, and was the property of Mrs Rowell, of Napier. The back part of the house was well alight when the brigade arrived. Some delay occurred in locating a fire plu" and when it was found the water pressure was not very good, otherwise the outbreak might have' been checked more readily. As it was when the flames ivere subdued little bevond the _ shell of the house remained. The building was insured for £llOO in the Mercantile and General Office.

When the brigade reached the house the fire appeared to have been started in two places, and whereas the doois and windows had been locked since Hie place was vacated some weeks ago, v ; window was up about- 6iii. Fusing vf electric wires was not possible, since the current had been cut off. the police are investigating. Early on Saturday afternoon the police arrested a labourer named Samuel Hazlett, who was subsequently charged with arson and remanded to 12th Januarv.