Robbers set hotel alight, police confirm

Police have confirmed that robbers were responsible for burning down a Kawerau hotel in the middle of the night.

Detective Sergeant Ross Everest, of Whakatane police, said that following an extensive scene examination of the remains of the fire-ravaged Pinelands Hotel, police were now satisfied that the blaze was deliberately lit.

"The publican of the Pinelands Hotel was doused with an accelerant, tied up and later saw his livelihood burn down before his eyes," Mr Everest said yesterday.

The publican, Dennis Angus - who owns the hotel with his wife Sheryl - was reportedly doused in petrol during a robbery shortly after the hotel closed in the early hours of July 2. The offenders then set fire to the hotel.

Mr Angus told reporters that police had told him not to speak to the media.

Mr Everest said that Mr Angus had been disturbed by two men dressed in black track pants and black hoodies. The only feature that distinguished the two assailants was that one wore a black scarf covering his face and the second wore a red scarf, also covering his face.

"At approximately 3am that morning, the two men left the scene carrying backpacks which had been filled with bottles of spirits taken from the hotel bar.

"They also left with a sum of cash from the hotel safe," Mr Everest said.

The backpacks were described as having draw-strings at the top to close them.

"It's possible that a female accomplice was waiting to drive them away from the scene."

Emergency services were called to the hotel to deal with the blaze.

At the height of the fire, 40 firefighters, 10 fire appliances and additional support vehicles were involved.

Mr Everest said that although many people had been spoken to, police were still asking those who might have information to come forward.

"We would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of the hotel that evening," he said.

Police were also asking for information about people who had been seen with unexplained quantities of spirits or cash.

- NZPA