Police are hunting a group of young males who they say set fire to rubbish behind four commercial premises in Napier on Monday night.
The four fires were lit between 10.15pm and 11.05pm in central Napier. The youths were seen on CCTV near the scenes of each fire. In every instance, the arsonists set fire to piles of rubbish in wheelie bins or fadges. No substantial damage was caused.
The first fire was at the back of Archie Bunker's Backpackers on Herschell St. The group then moved to Market St where they set a fire in an alleyway next to the Cri Bar and behind Bloodline Tattoos.
They then set a fire behind the Brazenhead pub on Hastings St, then went back to Herschell St where they tried to set alight an outdoor umbrella in an accessway alongside the County Hotel.
Detective Ross Alexander said that while the fires did not cause major damage, they were still a concern for local businesses and inner-city residents.
"These could have been much worse were it not for the fact that they did not burn very well and most of them were lit against a brick building. There was however, potential for significant damage to premises and those inside," Mr Alexander said.
CCTV footage has revealed two or three young males in the area at the time of the fires. One was wearing a black beanie over his face and one was wearing a white cap. All the males appear to be wearing dark-coloured shoes with white soles.
They were using at least one bicycle and a scooter.
Mr Alexander said police were keen to speak to anyone who was in the inner city about 10pm on Monday and who might have seen the youths wandering around the streets, particularly behind buildings or in alleyways.
-Anyone with information about the youths should phone Mr Alexander at Hawke's Bay Police on 06 211 3791, or information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111.