Man facing arson charge after fire

RUINED: The Featherston property was gutted in the blaze.

A Featherston builder has been arrested and charged with arson following a blaze which gutted his house behind Featherston's Royal Hotel early yesterday.

Timothy John Grindlay, 38, was found a short distance from the house at 24 Revans St, which was being renovated.

Fire brigades from Featherston and Greytown attended the blaze at 5.30am, bringing it quickly under control.

There was no one in the house and no injuries were reported to police.

Mark Oliver, acting shift commander at the police central communications centre, said the fire appeared to be domestic related.

Grindlay appeared in Masterton District Court before Justice of the Peace David Baker in the afternoon, charged with arson. Duty lawyer Peter Stevens said Grindlay consented to being remanded in custody.

Mr Baker remanded Grindlay in custody to reappear on December 10.

Grindlay is an architectural designer and the sole director of Surtec Group Consultants Ltd, which lists the property as the company's address.

Fire investigators remained at the site yesterday morning to determine the cause of the fire.

Featherston fire chief Colin McKenna said he called in an additional unit from Greytown to help contain the blaze.

Head of CIB, Masterton, Scott Miller, said they were called out and secured the scene on arrival.

Mr Miller said there was no one in the property which was being renovated.

The accused was found a short distance away, arrested and charged, he said.