Fire at Hollow Mill

I know who did it
CASE NO. 65 · LEVEL 3 · ARSON

FIRE AT
HOLLOW MILL

CLUE
1
OF 6
SCAN TO ANSWER
At two in the morning, Hollow Mill – a protected old watermill used as artists' studios – went up in flames. Nobody was hurt, but the building is gone. Find all 6 clues, compare the statements and the evidence, and work out who did it.
Hannah Ruiz
Fire investigator
”This fire was set on purpose. Someone poured petrol in the ground-floor store and lit it. Whoever it was left two things behind.”
WITNESS STATEMENT · HANNAH RUIZ
EVIDENCE #1 · FIRE REPORT
Fire service report – Hollow Mill
Started
About 02:10, ground-floor store
Cause
Petrol poured and lit
Found by the door
Brass lighter, engraved ‘V.C.’
Boot print
Back door mud: women's walking boot, size 38, ‘Trailmaster’ tread
Tyre marks
Small van, on the mill lane
The lighter could have been dropped on purpose.
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6
Find all 6 clues, then scan the code to name the culprit.
NEXT CLUE IS HIDDEN …
Read the clues as plain text
Clue 1 of 6

Hannah Ruiz Fire investigator

”This fire was set on purpose. Someone poured petrol in the ground-floor store and lit it. Whoever it was left two things behind.”

Evidence #1 · FIRE REPORT

Fire service report – Hollow Mill
Started
About 02:10, ground-floor store
Cause
Petrol poured and lit
Found by the door
Brass lighter, engraved ‘V.C.’
Boot print
Back door mud: women's walking boot, size 38, ‘Trailmaster’ tread
Tyre marks
Small van, on the mill lane
The lighter could have been dropped on purpose.
Clue 2 of 6

Victor Crane Owner of the mill

”Yes, I raised the insurance last month – the bank made me. And I lost that lighter weeks ago at the planning meeting. I was asleep at the farmhouse all night.”

Evidence #2 · BANK LETTER

NORTHSHIRE BANK – Loan office
Dear Mr Crane,
As a condition of your loan, the mill's
insurance must be raised to £400,000
by 1 October. Without this, we cannot
continue the loan.
– J. Patel, Loans
Clue 3 of 6

Rosa Fenn Artist who rented a studio

”I moved all my paintings out on Monday, and now people think I knew about the fire! That was because of the leak. On the night I was at the charity gala – my painting was in the auction.”

Evidence #3 · ROOFER'S NOTE

NOTE ON ROSA'S STUDIO DOOR
Big leak over the north studio.
Move everything out before
Tuesday's rain – I'll fix the
roof next week.
– Bill, roofer
Dated Saturday
Clue 4 of 6

Simon Ashby Property developer

”I wanted to build homes on that land, I don't deny it. But the council said no. On the night of the fire I was running the auction at the charity gala.”

Evidence #4 · MEETING MINUTES

COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING – 12 SEPTEMBER
Present: V. Crane, S. Ashby, L. Marsh (architect)
Plan for 40 homes on the mill site: REFUSED –
the mill is a protected building.
S. Ashby: ‘If the site is ever cleared, Marsh will design it.’
Mr Crane left his lighter – handed to Ms Marsh to return.
– Clerk to the council
Clue 5 of 6

Ollie Grant Neighbouring farmer

”Around two I saw a small white van with a roof rack go up the mill lane, no lights. Victor's old truck didn't move all night – it's parked right by my gate.”

Evidence #5 · GALA PHOTOS

Charity gala – photographer's list
IMG_088
01:58
Simon Ashby on stage, running the auction.
IMG_094
02:07
Rosa Fenn's painting sells – Rosa waves to the room.
IMG_101
02:15
Simon Ashby and Rosa Fenn with the mayor.
Clue 6 of 6

Lydia Marsh Architect

”I gave Victor his lighter back the same day. I was at home asleep all night – I don't even own a car. Victor is the one who gets the insurance money.”

Evidence #6 · CARD STATEMENT

Bank card statement – L. Marsh
DateTimeShopItem
9 Sep11:20Outdoor Co.Trailmaster boots, size 38
14 Nov23:30Rent-a-VanSmall van with roof rack, 4 hrs
14 Nov23:52FuelStopPetrol can + 10 L petrol