Two youths arrested for suspicious Anzac Day scrub fire in Havelock North

Two youths were arrested on Anzac Day in connection to a fire in Havelock North. Police are investigating whether other fires in the area on Wednesday are connected. Photo / Anne Cunningham

Police have arrested two youths after a scrub fire in Havelock North on Anzac Day and are investigating several more suspicious fires in the area.

Several small fires erupted in the vegetation near Karamu Stream on Wednesday afternoon, and another was reported to emergency services at midday on Thursday.

Havelock North firefighters were called to the first of the fires in the area about 1.20pm.

Havelock North volunteer fire station chief Rod Triplow said one truck attended a fire in some cabbage trees and flax bush near the stream, which was soon deemed suspicious and referred to police.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said two other small scrub fires in the same area were reported about 5.20pm and at 5.57pm on Wednesday, both of which took firefighters about 20 minutes to extinguish.

A police spokesman said police were informed of the three suspicious fires and confirmed two youths were arrested on Anzac Day in relation to another fire on Crosses Rd at 12.44pm.

He said charges are being considered.

A police spokesperson said the Anzac Day fire was set in a dry grass area near the creek and spread to a nearby tree.

Police inquiries are ongoing to establish whether the fires are connected, and to identify others who may have been involved

James Pocock joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2021 and writes breaking news and features, with a focus on environment, local government and post-cyclone issues in the region. He has a keen interest in finding the bigger picture in research and making it more accessible to audiences. He lives in Napier. james.pocock@nzme.co.nz