Investigators seek cause of pub fire

Police say it's too early to know if the fire that destroyed Caroline's Celtic pub
was arson and it may take several weeks to come to a conclusion on how the blaze
started.

The popular Wanganui bar was gutted early on Thursday morning.

Police and fire safety officers investigating the blaze said it is too early to
know whether it was deliberately lit.

Senior Sergeant Lance Kennedy of Whanganui Police said insurance
investigators were also taking part in the investigation.

"The investigation is standard for fires of this nature and does
not support any inference as to whether the fire is suspicious or not. "We
expect a final decision within the fortnight or so'' he said.

The fire tore through Caroline's Celtic bar and restaurant at the top
end of Victoria Ave, with the alarm raised just before 4am on Thursday. By the time
Wanganui Fire Service crews arrived the fire was well advanced and
firefighters were forced to attack the fire defensively, meaning
they could only battle the blaze from outside the building.

Just after the fire Patrick Norton, brother of the bar's owner Caroline
Norton, said that a rebuild on the same site was likely although a final
decision would not be made for a few days.

Meanwhile, police are door-knocking in Bell St today, hoping to find out more about an
arson in the street on Sunday night.

Police need information about anyone acting suspiciously in the
Bell St/St George's Gate area between 7pm and 9pm. If you have
information please call (06) 213 4144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.