1. The Reluctant Fire-Raiser

Can Quentin determine if a recent incident of fire had a political motivation?

Starring Robert Beatty.

Philip Levene’s series of intriguing cases for fire investigator, Quentin Barnaby.

Quentin Barnaby … Robert Beatty
Val ... Gudrun Ure
Inspector Hackett … Duncan McIntyre
Alec Groves … Anthony Hall
Mr Lorrimer … Leslie Perrins
Mrs Lorrimer … Barbara Mitchell
Sue … Ann Murray
Mrs Knight … Mary O’Farrell
Fire Officer Taylor … Lee Fox
Nurse … Peggy Butt
Fireman … Lewis Stringer
Peter Ansell … Warren Stanhope

Back in 1962, Philip Levene explained his inspiration:

'I have always been fascinated by fire... I was struck by the wide variety of intriguing ideas in a field that seemed (bar the obvious insurance fraud) comparatively untouched to date... but the puzzle of the charred remains of a burnt-out building intrigue me. The motivations of arson are numerous: greed, financial reverses destruction of evidence and revenge'.

Producer: Martyn C Webster

First broadcast on the BBC Light Service in September 1962.