Arsonist warned to get out of town

People in the Manawatu town of Shannon have warned the town's arsonist to leave before they catch him.

Last week there were four suspicious fires in vehicles in the town.

And on Saturday, a family of five was endangered when a fire in their car spread from a carport to their house.

Shannon Progressive Association chairman Ross Campbell said it was a sad thing for the town to have someone waiting to strike again.

"But I think the town is vigilant now and they will protect their own," Mr Campbell said.

It would be wise for the arsonist to move on because he would be caught.

"My advice, go. If they live here, leave now. If they live outside the town don't come back," Mr Campbell said.

He believed youngsters were responsible.

"The town is nervous at the moment but we are a close-knit community. If someone gets hurt we all feel it," Mr Campbell said.

Resident Judy Drake said the people in the streets where the attacks had happened were all nervous at night now.

Constable Graeme Love of Shannon police said he was still making inquiries but it appeared all the fires could be linked to one person.

- HOROWHENUA-KAPITI CHRONICLE (LEVIN)