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South Canterbury Women's Refuge believes a former client may have been responsible for flooding a safe house.
Refuge co-ordinator Dawn Rangi-Smith told the Timaru Herald someone had broken in and turned on the fire hose at some point after 3.30pm on Sunday.
When cleaners arrived the next morning the floor was beneath 10cm of water.
Ms Rangi-Smith said equipment had recently been moved to a new office , but carpets, bedding and furniture would need replacing.
She said it was likely the work of a woman who stayed at the safe house last week.
"We make no apologies that when women stay here they have to join our programmes about the care and protection of their children."
Police are investigating.
- NZPA
