Police have issued a warrant to arrest a man over the Masterton church fires, the same man who appeared to claim online to be behind the blazes.
Police want to find Michael Kane McRae, 44, or a vehicle – a green Ford Festiva.
“We believe Mr McRae will be able to assist with our investigation into several arsons at churches in Masterton on the morning of Saturday, February, 22” a police spokesman said.
“Anyone with information about Michael McRae or sightings of this vehicle is urged to contact Police via 105 online or the 105 phone reporting line, referencing file number 250222/1673.”
The four churches hit were the Anglican Church of the Epiphany, St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Masterton Baptist Church, and Equippers Church Masterton.
Three other churches appear to have been targeted.
Emergency services only discovered Masterton Baptist Church was on fire while they were on their way to a different church fire.
Up to 12 fire engines earlier rushed to fight the fires, which all started between 4.25am and 4.35am, a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said.
It appeared an object had been thrown through a window with an accelerant to start the fire at at least one church.
In videos posted to social media the same day, the man pictured in police press releases today said: “Kia ora, I set fire to seven churches. Seven stars, seven candles.”
Police earlier told the Herald they were aware of the videos, and they were forming part of an investigation into the blazes.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church has praised the efforts of a local police officer who happened to be driving past, saw their building was “red hot”, and managed to dampen the flames with an outside hose until firefighters arrived.
Masterton Baptist Church elder David Dew viewed the damage through a doorway early Saturday morning after emergency services called him to the scene.
Dew said the fire brigade told him that they were on their way to reports of another church fire when they noticed flames coming out of his building so they stopped to deal with it.
He was thankful and thought the damage could have been a lot worse if firefighters had not stumbled across the fire.
“One row is completely burnt out. All the upholstery and foam are completely charred and gone. There are smoke marks right up to the ceiling.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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