The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-04
THREE FIRES
Tn A MONTH
Fire Marshal lowe and
the Police Making an
Investigation.
The Lodging-House 325 Fourth
Street Haunted by an
Incendiary.
A Burglary With Humorous Accom-
paniment Also Committed on
the Premises.

Fire Marshal Tows was notified by the
police yesterday of three mysterious fires
and burglary that have occurred within
a month in the lodging house, 325 Fourth
street.
He made an investigation last night AND
so far has been unable to arrive at a solu.
ton of the mystery. He will continue
his investigation to-day.
Miss Tillie Willard took possession OF
the lodging house on July 8. A few days
later. about o'clock in the afternoon, fire
was discovered in room s. which was un-
occupied. The blaze was extinguished be-
fore much damage was done.
Room Z. opposite room 5, is occupied by
Alfred de Poister, who has the restaurant
on the first floor of the building and his
dishwasher, who sleep in separate beds.
Mrs. de Poister and her daughter sleep in
the restaurant.
About the middle of July fire broke out
iniroom between and 3 o'clock in the
afternoon. 1t was discovered by De Pois-
ter. who fortunately happened to go up
stairs about the time, and the applica.
guished the flames.
No one thought it worth while notify
ing the police or the Fire Marshal about
the fires, but they formed the subject of
lively discussion among the dodgers in the
house.
About week ago De Posters restau-
rant was entered by some one during the
stolen except purse belonging to Mrs.
de Poister, containing 81 and some odd
change. The intruder must have been OF
q humorous turn of mind as he piled Mrs.
de Posters clothing, a ham. some flower
pots and other articles in a heap at the in
side of the door of the resta urant.
The key of the restaurant was also stol-
Sunday, and Mrs. de Posters empty
purse was found on the stairway the day
after the burglary.
The police were notified of the burglary,
but strange to say nothing was said to
them about the two fires on the floor
above.
The third fire occurred shortly after 1C
o'clock yesterday morning in room 7, oc-
cupied by De Poister and his dishwasher.
De Poster was in the restaurant at the
time, but the dishwasher was asleep in
bed. He was awakened by the suffocat.
ing smoke, and to his surprise he found
De Posters bed on fire. He gave the
alarm and the flames were speedily ex.
tinguished.
Ih1s time the police were informed oil
the FIRE. and they laid the matter before
the Fire Marshal, but it was not till he
made his investigation last night that he
became cognizant of the two previous
fires since July 8. He questioned the
landlady and the De Posters, but could
not get any clew to the incendiary. as he
firmly believes it il the work of an incen-
diary or crank.
THE case puzzles me-" said the Fire
Marshal last night, from the fact that
there can be no motive of gain for start
ing the fires. as neither the lsndlady nor
De Poister is insured
81 can so far only arrive at tho conclu-
sion that the fires and the burglary were
done by the same person, and believe il
is the work of a crank.
II shall endeavor to ind out tomorrow
who the crank is and what is actuating
him or her in starting the fires and COM
hitting the burglary