Arsonist strikes at Solway Showgrounds

A passerby reported a large rubbish fire was blazing at Solway Showgrounds about 6pm on Saturday.

A large rubbish fire in Solway Showgrounds, Masterton, on Saturday night was a case of arson, according to Masterton Fire Service.

The fire was reported just before 6pm, having been spotted by someone driving past along Ngaumutawa Rd.

"It would have been highly visible," station officer Richard King said .

Mr King said the fire was caused by an unknown person setting alight a large pile of rubbish at the back of the showgrounds.

The pile of rubbish included branches and fenceposts and was about 4m by 4m in size.

It had been previously piled up for burning, but Mr King said the lighting of it appeared to have been an unrelated act.

Masterton township is currently under an outdoor fire ban to prevent further winter smog, "because there are a lot of woodburners going at this time of year", Mr King said.

The fire was attended by two fire appliances, and Masterton Police. Mr King said the fire took more than an hour to get under control, mainly because it was about 100m from the road.

The Fire Service ran a large length of hose and used a roadside hydrant as a water supply.