The inquiry into the causes of the burning down of
a portion of Mr. Whiteley's premises has not as yet resulted in the pro- duction of any evidence to show how the fire arose. Colonel Majendie, the Chief Inspector under the Explosives Act, has been examined at the Coroner's inquest, and gives it as his opinion that the falling of the buildings was not produced by explosives. The debris and brickwork, in his opinion, bear no signs of an explosion. " If an explosion had occurred, it would not necessarily have caused the fire, and it is certain that there was a fire of more or lees formidable proportions before what was assumed to be the explosion—that is, the fall of buildings— occurred." The inquest has been again adjourned, pending inquiries by the police into information tendered as to the origin of the fire, in response to Mr. Whiteley's offer of a reward of 2'2,000. It seems clear beyond a doubt that the fire was the work of some incendiary who had access to the building ; but we fear that the possibility of his discovery is somewhat remote.
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