Kapiti-Mana fires treated as arson

File photo / NZ Herald

Two unrelated fires in the Kapiti-Mana region are being treated as arsons, and police are seeking witnesses.

The first blaze occurred at a house in Hillcrest Road in Raumati South around 10.30pm on Monday.

Initial inquiries led police to believe the fire - which caused significant damage to the property - was intentionally lit.

Nobody was at home at the time.

A 43-year-old local man was arrested on charges of burglary, male assaults female, injuring with intent and intentional damage on Monday afternoon and appeared in Porirua District Court the following day.

He was remanded in custody. Enquires into the suspected arson were continuing.

Acting Detective Sergeant Kelvyn Parry said the man was helping police with their inquiries. "He's a person of interest. We're waiting on forensic evidence to come back."

The man had not admitted any involvement into the arsons, police said.

The second arson attempt involved a parked vehicle set alight on Winton Street, Paraparaumu.

The car was believed to have been set alight at around 5.40am yesterday. The fire caused extensive damage to the car and damage to the exterior of the property it was parked outside.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in or around the scenes of the arsons to contact Mr Parry on (04) 238 1400 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.