Arson accused earlier charged with poaching

Two men accused of throwing makeshift explosives into the Kaikoura Ministry of Fisheries office had been charged with poaching the day before.

Fire Service communications spokesman Daryl Ball said the Fire Service was called to the Beach Rd blaze just before 2.30am on Wednesday.

A recently completed police investigation found the blaze was started by molotov cocktails thrown through the windows of the building.

Detective Sergeant Mike Irving of Blenheim Police said two men were charged with arson after police used sniffer dogs to track them to a home near the burnt offices.

The pair had been accused of poaching by fisheries officers the day before and had property seized, he said.

They have been remanded in custody until another appearance at the Blenheim District Court on April 26.

Police have opposed bail.

- NZHERALD STAFF