‘Suspicious’ Wairoa house fire leads to public appeal for information

Police at the scene of the house fire in Wairoa. Photo / The Wairoa Star

Police have asked any witnesses to come forward following a suspicious house fire in Wairoa which started during the middle of the night.

The house fire on Apatu St started shortly after 1am on Wednesday and was “well involved” when firefighters arrived.

It is understood to have started in the kitchen and bedroom area of the three-bedroom weatherboard home.

“The house was well alight when we arrived,” a senior firefighter told Gisborne Herald.

“All we could do was put out the fully involved building, and only the shell of the house remains standing.”

The senior firefighter said the family living there all got out okay.

The fire caused extensive damage to the home. Photo / The Wairoa Star

Police and fire investigators were at the scene on Wednesday morning.

“At this stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious,” a police statement read, released on Thursday.

“Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen something around the time of the fire, or who might have information about what has occurred.”

Call 105 and quote event number P053416272 if you have information that could help.

Two fire trucks from Wairoa and one from Nuhaka fire station attended the blaze.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said firefighters were at the scene for about three hours.

- Additional reporting Gisborne Herald