Fire at teenagers' centre 'suspicious'

Detective Justine Johnson inspects what remains of the centre in Carterton. Picture / Lynda Feringa

A fire that gutted the home of a Drop-Zone centre for teenagers in Carterton is being treated as suspicious by investigators.

Wairarapa fire safety officer Henry Stechman said yesterday it was unknown what started the Sunday evening blaze but police and fire staff were working "to eliminate a suspicious element".

The Drop-Zone, which is housed in a former dairy factory, was closed for the school holidays and no one had been there for a couple of weeks.

Because of the old building's asbestos roof, fire fighters had to take extra care when dealing with it, he said, and used breathing apparatus and protective gear.

Yesterday the coordinators of the Drop-Zone, Wayne Bosch and Martijn Poppe, said the fire was a great loss for the town's young people.