Christchurch police investigate suspicious fires

File photo / NZ Herald

Police are investigating three suspicious fires in Christchurch overnight.

Around 7.40pm last night emergency services were called to a fire in an abandoned house in Mairehau.

The second occurred at a block of unoccupied flats and was reported around 5.40am today.

Then at 6.15am, a shed fire was reported at an address in Richmond.

Detective Inspector Greg Murton said all three fires were being treated as suspicious.

Police had attended the scenes of the blazes and were investigating too see whether they were linked.

"There have been a number of similar fires in the area over the past months and police resources are being focused on these fires and apprehending the offenders," Mr Murton said.

"Police patrols are being increased in this and other Red Zone areas. There is a risk that a fire may be lit in an abandoned property in which someone is squatting who may become a victim of that deliberately lit fire."

Anyone identified as having deliberately lit a fire in a property would face prosecution, and a maximum of 14 years imprisonment, Mr Murton said.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant about suspicious activity in and around abandoned properties and to call police if they noticed any suspicious activity, he said.

Christchurch police could be contacted on (03) 3637400 or information could be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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