Papamoa house fire deliberately set

Police are appealing for information about an arson in Papamoa this morning.

Dickson Rd residents noticed their neighbour's house on fire about 7.30am this morning.

Tauranga police Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner confirmed to the Bay of Plenty Times the fire started in the lounge and was deliberately set.

The stolen oven

"The tenants vacated the property at the beginning of the week and sometime between Tuesday and 7.30am this morning there's been a burglary of the address and the oven and dishwasher have been stolen from the property," he said.

"The address was reasonably well known to the police before the tenants moved out."

Mr Turner said the fire could have been burning for some time before it was noticed.

The house was extensively damaged by the fire, he said.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has information about the fire or burglary or was in the area last night or early this morning.

Phone Tauranga police on (07) 577 4300 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information.