Suspicious fires hit Kaitaia again

Police are investigating two suspicious building fires in Kaitaia -- the latest in a series of suspected arson attacks on community buildings in the area.

A community hall at the southern end of the town and the Waitomo Papakainga Development Society office on Bank St suffered minor fire damage on Sunday night after fires were thought to have been lit under outside decks of the buildings, Kaitaia police say.

New Zealand Fire Service fire safety officer Lindsay Murray said the two blazes followed a number of suspicious fires in the last six weeks, all small fires lit in secluded areas at public buildings.

"With both (Sunday night's fires) it was lucky they were spotted early and able to be dealt with, or there would have been quite a lot of damage."

A small fire was lit on the verandah of the Far North District Council offices on Redan Rd on February 24, and a rubbish fire lit against the wall of the Mussel Rock Casino bar on February 18.

A suspicious blaze at the Kaitaia Community Arts Centre on February 14 gutted about one-quarter of the historic villa and there was smoke damage to the entire building.

Mr Murray said it was possible whoever was responsible had also lit other fires at sheds outside Work and Income, in rubbish bins outside Child Youth and Family, and to phonebooks in phone booths.

Kaitaia chief fire officer Terry Houghton said the fires could be the work of "some naughty boys or girls around town" who were playing a dangerous game.

Police are compiling a dossier on the fires and are keen to hear from anyone with information on the blazes.

- NZPA