Charge laid over Gisborne boarding house fire

Police have charged a man with arson after a small fire in a bedroom at the rear of the Gisborne City Lodge on Monday afternoon. Photo / Murray Robertson

Police have charged a man after fire at the rear of the Gisborne City Lodge.

Firefighters responded to the small fire in a detached bedroom at the rear of the building on Childers Rd about 4.30pm on Monday.

The fire was put out before it could spread further and damage was confined to the interior of the room.

The damage was substantial and the fire was treated as suspicious from the outset.

Detective Sergeant Tim Somerton said a 20-year-old man had been charged with arson and would be held in custody pending a court appearance in mid-January.

“The man did not live at the boarding house,” Somerton said.

“He also faces several other unrelated charges.”