Fire is the third attack on an early childhood centre in the Nelson region in a year.

A fire that razed a Manawatu home overnight was "no accident" police say, amid reports a molotov cocktail sparked the blaze.

A teenager told police she knew a mother-of-three was at home when she started a fire that blocked the woman's chance to escape and left her to die.

A tearful teenage girl who deliberately lit a fire which killed Pukekohe mum Lynette Chapman today changed her plea on a murder charge to guilty.

A 17-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to murdering Pukekohe mother of three Lynette Chapman, who died in a fire in her home in January.

Former All Black Murray Mexted said last night he was devastated after his Hawke's Bay bach was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Almost a year after the Black Saturday bushfires devastated Victoria, two teenage boys have been charged with lighting the Bendigo blaze.

Australia is cooling down after another day of deadly heat with temperatures in three states soaring into the 40s, including record highs in Melbourne.