Hokitika building fire at former Seaview Hospital and asylum being treated as suspicious

A large building fire that broke out today on the site of the old Seaview Hospital and asylum near Hokitika is being treated as suspicious.

Multiple 111 calls alerted emergency services to the blaze at the Seaview Terraces on the South Island’s West Coast just after 7am on Sunday.

In an update at 4.30pm, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said one appliance and a fire investigator remained at the scene of the blaze – which has since been brought under control – working with a digger to overhaul the remains of the site.

He confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious and referred further questions to police.

Fire and Emergency said their crews’ presence at the site would continue into Monday.

When questioned about whether police were also now treating the fire as suspicious, they would only confirm inquiries were still being made alongside Fire and Emergency.

A resident who filmed the blaze said it could be seen right around Hokitika and the surrounding area.

“It was huge,” the man told the Herald.

There were seven trucks, two water tankers, one civilian water tanker, and several support vehicles at the scene.

‘Imagine a stay at Dracula’s Castle’

The old Seaview Hospital dates back to the 1870s and cared for more than 500 patients at its peak.

A resident who filmed the blaze said it could be seen right around Hokitika and the surrounding area. Photo / Jason Boult

A nurse’s home was built on the site in 1939 and 1940 to assist in the recruitment and retention of staff.

While it closed its doors in 2009, some of its buildings later became accommodation described as the area’s “spookiest backpackers”.

Visitor reviews describe it as “a very strange place” and “full of character”.

“Staying at Seaview is a lot like I imagine a stay at Dracula’s Castle would be,” one review wrote.

Multiple 111 calls alerted Fire and Emergency New Zealand to the blaze at the Seaview Terraces just after 7am. Photo / Jason Boult

“You feel you’re stepping back in time in a good way,” another review wrote.

“The site used to be a prison and a mental institution in the past; both systems have left their mark.”

Others commented on the enticing eeriness of Seaview.

“It is a real curiosity to look round and find ward beds set up, individual and shared facilities, and other quirky places.”

“We were in a camper van parked outside on the lawn – however, I am not sure I would have liked to have slept inside the building as it was a bit spooky.”