Murder by Fire: Nick Carter, Master Detective (January 14, 1945)

“Murder by Fire” is an episode of Nick Carter, Master Detective, the old-time radio show, first broadcast January 14, 1945. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Nick Carter rescues a woman from a burning button factory, but she dies from her injuries. Investigation reveals the victim is Jenny Baker, the factory bookkeeper, who was deliberately gagged and locked in a closet before the fire was set. Factory owner Oscar Warren becomes a suspect, especially after his partner Alfred Hoffman—who recently fought with Warren and was forced out of the business—cannot be found and threatens revenge from his gas-filled apartment.

A button factory in the downtown district during a fire, then various locations including Warren's office and Hoffman's apartment.

Characters: Nick Carter, Patsy, Battalion Chief, Oscar Warren, Jenny Baker, Riley, Alfred Hoffman, Hamilton (Warren's lawyer)

Listen for: The discovery of Jenny Baker bound and gagged in the factory closet; accusations against Warren regarding insurance fraud and his disputes with his partner Hoffman; the mystery of who deliberately trapped the victim in the burning building.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.