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An oil drum that had already been damaged was one of the items of interest found in the burning workshop of Franz Josef mechanic Clive Raymond Jenkins.
A photo of the fire provided by the police.
Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Police
Jenkins died after a fire in his workshop on September 13, 2016.
In a coroner’s investigation into his death in Christchurch that continued today, the fire investigator who attended the scene said the blue 200-liter jerrycan was likely damaged before the fire.
Investigator Daniel Greene, who no longer works for Fire & Emergency, said the drum was also missing the lid.
“The damage [on the drum] it was not consistent with fire damage, “Greene said.
He said it was one of the key pieces of evidence that led him to conclude that the fire was a deliberate act.
However, the fire investigation could not determine what was inside the drum, as the contents of the interior were no longer present after the fire.
Jenkins’ ex-partner Michelle May provided new evidence today that provided a clue as to what might have been inside.
May said the drum often contained a mixture of gasoline and diesel.
“I often put diesel or gasoline in the blue barrel … as tourists often mix the wrong fuel [in their cars],” she said.
May and Jenkins separated in late 2015, about nine months before the fire.
The forensic court heard Monday that the two remained in contact after the split, including the night of the fire, 18 minutes before a witness made the 111 call at 7.38 p.m.
Today’s morning session also revealed the firefighters ‘discovery of a firearm next to Jenkins’ body, on the mezzanine floor of the burning building, which contained the workshop and living quarters.
Monday, the coroner [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/430729/mechanic-went-crazy-moments-before-death-inquest-hears
heard the 111 call made by the distraught witness] – whose name is deleted – describing that Jenkins had “gone mad”.
The evidence about Jenkins’ use of firearms was presented by his close friend Bruce Gibbons on Monday.
Gibbons said Jenkins enjoyed hunting and fishing.
“The [Jenkins] he usually kept his firearms in his locked closet. He was very sane with firearms, “Gibbons said.
The Coroner’s Court also heard Monday that Jenkins was drinking on the day of the fire.
