Fire plagues Hastings pirate ship once again

Burnt patches are visible around the Hastings pirate ship in the latest suspicious fire at the playground attraction. Photo / Paul Taylor

Firebugs have hit the beleaguered Hastings pirate ship again - one of a spate of recent fires around Mayfair which are being investigated.

While there is no major damage to the pirate ship, at the Lions Community Park, a burnt smell lingers.

During the weekend burnt items were reportedly recovered from near the stern of the ship.

Three small burnt patches on the matting in the area of the pirate ship play equipment were discovered by Hastings District Council maintenance staff on Saturday morning.

"The damage was minor and no equipment had to be closed. Repairs to the matting will be assessed today," a council spokeswoman said. Staff would review security footage today.

A police spokeswoman said they were aware of some minor fires in the Mayfair area near the children's play area, and the pirate ship.

"It looks like there were three small fires and they were about 40cm across but had extinguished themselves before police arrived."

This is not the first time the piece of playground equipment has received unwanted attention; the ship and its predecessor have been plagued by arson attacks.

In April 2015 the 50-year-old pirate ship attraction was destroyed by arson in the Splash Planet water-themed park. Three male teenagers were charged with arson.

A ship built to replace the historic icon in the Lions club playground project was erected in late 2015, and attacked twice in 48 hours in January 2016. Two teens were found responsible.

Since then, Lions club membership chairperson Carol McMillan said the pirate ship had been mostly left alone.

"It's really settled down. It's been a great park and it's well loved. There's been no issues at all."

The fire at the pirate shipwas the latest fire in the area.

On Monday night police and fire services were called to the community park after the toilet blocks were set on fire. The fire was extinguished, and the blaze is being treated as suspicious.

A Hastings Fire Service spokesman said yesterday they had "an ongoing issue with deliberately lit fires in that area".

A police spokesman said the fires were being investigated.

In the January attack, damages to the pirate ship cost nearly $22,000.

Steps taken to guard against vandalism, including the installation of sensor-triggered security lights, security fencing, and cameras brought the total cost of the incident to nearly $60,000.