An SUV parked in the driveway of a home in inner Kaiti was targeted by an arsonist for a second time in a week, leaving its interior gutted. Photo / Murray Robertson
An SUV parked in the driveway of a home in inner Kaiti was targeted by an arsonist for a second time in a week, leaving its interior gutted. Photo / Murray Robertson
Firefighters were initially called in on Wednesday about 6am after the owner heard the vehicle horn sounding rushed outside, found the fire and called 111.
“On that occasion when we got there we found a small fire going on the driver’s seat,” a senior firefighter said.
They put it out before it could spread to the rest of the vehicle, but it was a different story on Thursday night.
Fire and Emergency NZ were called again to the Heta Rd property about 10pm.
Neighbours alerted Fire and Emergency NZ after they noticed the fire about 10pm on Thursday. The SUV's interior was well alight when fire crew arrived. Photo / Murray Robertson
“This time the vehicle was so extensively damaged it was difficult to say for sure whereabouts in it the fire was started.”
The burning vehicle was close enough to the house to cause the firefighters some concern, he said.
“The crew worked quickly to contain and then put the fire out, using a high-pressure hose reel.”
Firefighters believed the fire was suspicious and police were called in again.
Police confirmed it was a second arson attack on the vehicle and said they have an inquiry under way.
The incident follows the arson attack on a four-wheel-drive vehicle on Stout St in Riverdale early Monday morning which had started to scorch the adjacent house.
Police have said that incident and the vehicle fires on Heta Rd were not linked.
They want to hear from anyone who was in the Heta Rd area at around 10pm on Thursday.
Anyone with information can call police on 105, or via the Crime Stoppers number 0800 555 111.
