Picket line bus deliberately set alight

Investigators examine the union bus. Photo / Dean Purcell

Investigations are continuing today into an arson attack on the National Distribution Union headquarters in the Auckland suburb of Onehunga yesterday.

The fire was started in a bus stored in the basement and spread to the rest of the two-storey-building but firefighters managed to quickly extinguish the blaze.

The $30,000 bus, used to carry workers to picket lines, was destroyed.

The cause of the blaze is being investigated by police, Russell Dickson, specialist fire investigator, told NZPA.

NDU secretary Laila Harre said today an electrician was already working at restoring the power to the building and it was hoped to have essential services running by the end of the day.

Ms Harre said she did not think the building was targeted for political reasons.

The fire was more likely to be a random criminal act, she said.

The bus was insured and had been bought second-hand two years ago to replace a previous one which had been stolen.

Ms Harre said she did not expect staff to be back in the office until at least Tuesday.

"We've got 35 staff at our Auckland office, and most of them will be able to work as normal today from out of the office," Ms Harre said.

Six fire crews from Onehunga, Mount Roskill, Balmoral, Ellerslie and Mangere fought to bring the blaze under control.

Police and fire safety officers were today continuing to sift through the building for clues to the cause of the blaze.

- NZPA