Police investigate Napier fire

The Fire Service believe the Napier fire was deliberately lit. File photo / Herald On Sunday

Police are investigating a suspicious fire at the St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral in Napier Central last night.

Fire service central communications spokesperson Mike Wanoa said several calls were received from the public from 9.30pm onwards reporting the fire on Munroe St.

The fire was "fully involved" when two appliances from the Napier Fire Station arrived.

Mr Wanoa said it took half an hour for the crews to extinguish the fire. He was unaware of the extent of the damage.

"Someone had lit a fire in the garden behind the church and it has get through a window and set part of the structure alight," Mr Wanoa said.

Fire investigators were at the scene last night, as were police due to the suspicious nature of the blaze. Police were now investigating the cause of the fire, Mr Wanoa said.

- NZ HERALD STAFF