A suspected arsonist was tackled by a security guard hired to protect a Rotorua holiday park hit by a series of fires.
Depositions evidence released to the Daily Post has also revealed the owners of Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park had installed sensors in trees, to try to identify the person responsible for the arson attacks.
The sensors were linked to a remote control held by the security guard who patrolled the camp between 1am and 6am.
On October 22 about 4am, the security guard saw Wayne George Mear, 40, walking through the grounds of the holiday park on Old Taupo Rd.
Mear tried to set fire to a lodge in which 34 people were sleeping, including children and babies. The security guard chased Mear, who ran off. The guard spotted him peering out of a shower block, gave chase again and caught Mear. The guard held him until police arrived.
Police later searched Mear's boarding house room and found a box of fire lighters under his bed, and kindling in his cupboard. When
Mear admitted trying to light the fire on October 22, but says he did not light five other fires at the holiday park.
He is accused of setting fire to a lodge in which 14 tourists were sleeping, a cafe on-site and three cabins, causing in excess of $100,000 worth of damage.
When questioned by police he stated he didn't know anyone was sleeping inside the lodge on October 22 and denied being the arsonist who lit the five previous fires.
He told police "I'm just stupid. It was a dumb thing to do" when speaking about the attempted arson on October 22.
On the night he was caught, fire investigators found a pile of 12 kindling sticks stacked in a pyramid with a fire starter inside.
Inside a red draw string bag the accused was carrying, police found a box of fire starters and a white lighter in his pocket.
However, his lawyer Martin Hine says there is not enough evidence to link his client to the five arsons.
Mear has been remanded in custody in Hamilton's Henry Bennett Centre and is due to appear in the Rotorua District Court on April 23 for a callover when its expected a trial date will be set.
Guard tackled arson suspect at camp
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