Lifeguards working at Whangarei Heads Surf Lifesaving Club who rescued five boogie boarders in one day had a night time emergency of quite another kind — the public toilets burning to the ground.
The alarm for the fire that destroyed the toilet block at the lower parking ground near the access to the beach and surf club was raised at about 3.30am yesterday. Fire Service investigator Craig Bain visited the scene yesterday and said the fire was deliberately lit. Mr Bain said CCTV footage from the area would be inspected over the next couple of days.
By the time fire appliances from Whangarei Heads and Onerahi voluntary brigade reached the scene in the wee small hours, the toilets at the popular beach were beyond saving.
Lifesaving club captain Julian Pitman said paid regional lifesavers staying at the beach were surprised to be woken by the fire.
They joined half a dozen or so locals watching the blaze which was fully involved before the fire appliances arrived to extinguish the fire.