Police seek arsonist after two fires in one house

Hamilton police are hunting for an arsonist after two suspicious fires started in the same house in just over a week.

Leaflets will be delivered to houses in the Whatawhata Rd area in an attempt to jog the memories of neighbouring residents.

Police believe the house, in Howden Rd, in west Hamilton, has been targeted by an arsonist twice this month.

On October 1, a fire was discovered in the house at 6am.

It was extinguished by the occupier, who was not injured.

Just over a week later, on October 9, a second fire started at the house some time after 2.30pm.

No-one was in the house at the time of that fire.

Detective Sergeant Mark Greene said police hoped to glean more information about the fires from neighbours or other residents in the area.

"There are quite a few lifestyle blocks in the area and it is reasonably well-populated," he said.

"We are hoping that someone may remember seeing something suspicious or unusual in the area on those days."

- NZPA