KEY POINTS:
A fire which destroyed a building in the centre of Manawatu town Feilding last night appears to be suspicious.
The fire broke out in Central Auto Parts about 7pm, affecting a significant section of a block of shops and sending up a huge plume of smoke.
Feilding fire chief Peter Guard said appliances from Feilding, Palmerston North, Cheltenham, Bunnythorpe and Halcombe attended and took a while to bring it under control.
"It took about an hour before we got it to the point where we were comfortable with it," he said this morning.
Mr Guard said the damage was significant and demolition crews would need to be brought in to clear up.
"We managed to save the buildings either side, but a big chunk of the block itself will have to be demolished - probably a big corner shop and two others as well."
Mr Guard said there was a fire at the same auto parts shop a few months ago and the business was yet to be re-established there.
Fire safety and police were today investigating the scene, and it was being treated as suspicious, Mr Guard said.
- NZPA
