Police investigate suspicious Waipukurau fire, woman found injured at nearby property recovering

Police are making inquiries into the cause of the fire and how the woman came to be injured. Photo / NZME

A woman is recovering in hospital after she was found injured at a nearby property after a suspicious fire at a Central Hawke’s Bay house.

Hawke’s Bay Today understands police are seeking a man in relation to the incident. The family of the woman say her injuries were not caused by the fire.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sally Patrick said in a statement emergency services were called to a Woburn St address in Waipukurau about 4am on Tuesday.

“Soon after, the injured occupant of the address was found at a nearby property and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she remains in a stable condition,” Patrick said in an updated statement on Wednesday.

Patrick said in her updated statement police had completed a series of scene examinations at several locations in Waipukurau after the incident.

“Police are reviewing CCTV imagery and conducting interviews as part of the investigation.”

Inquiries on Tuesday were focused on the cause of fire and how the woman came to be injured.

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said one person was assessed at the scene and transported to Hawke’s Bay Hospital by ambulance in a moderate condition.

Waipukurau Chief Fire Officer Steve Walker said the fire was contained to one bedroom but declined to comment further, referring queries to the police.