The fire that destroyed much of a large shed on a farm on Runaruna Rd, between Broadwood and Panguru, on Saturday morning has been referred to the police for investigation.
Fire investigator Craig Bain, who inspected the scene on Sunday, said he believed the fire had been deliberately lit, but he had found no evidence of calves or dogs dying in the blaze, as initially reported.
The 'Northland Age' was told on Saturday that a number of dogs and a couple of dozen calves had died, but Bain said all had been rescued.
Kaitaia's deputy Chief Fire Officer, Ross Beddows, said there had certainly been a lot of calves in the immediate vicinity.
"At one point I turned around and one was chewing on my hose," he said.