The Kaitaia Fire Brigade responded to a fire at the Kaitaia Union Church in record time yesterday morning and so prevented a potentially major blaze.
The fire had clearly been lit in the small porch leading to the op shop off Te Reinga St, the flames charring the timber and melting plastic spouting, and getting into the shop itself.
By the time the first appliance arrived, an interior wall was burning, but op shop secretary Dave McGregor said most of the damage to stock, mainly clothing, had been done by smoke.
Mr McGregor, his wife (also the church secretary) and others could not begin cleaning up until fire investigator Terry Baylis had completed his examination, but Mr Bayliss had no doubt that the fire had been deliberately lit. And it could have been calamitous.
Erected in 1924, the church's timber was very dry, probably heart kauri, without insulation.