Multiple 111 calls alerted Fire and Emergency to the blaze at Seaview Terrace in Hokitika. Video / Jason Boult, Toni Houston
A 42-year-old Hokitika woman has been charged with lighting the fire that destroyed the old Seaview Hospital complex on the South Island’s West Coast.
Police said the woman was arrested on Wednesday, when police executed a search warrant at a local address.
Multiple 111 calls alerted emergency services to thehref="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch/hokitika-building-fire-at-former-seaview-hospital-witness-describes-huge-blaze/MC7KVEZZTFDSRPD7P3YXKHCLL4/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch/hokitika-building-fire-at-former-seaview-hospital-witness-describes-huge-blaze/MC7KVEZZTFDSRPD7P3YXKHCLL4/#google_vignette"> blaze that consumed the Seaview Terraces in Hokitika just after 7am on August 10.
It took firefighters the best part of two days to put out the blaze and for a scene examination to take place.
Police confirmed at the time that the fire was being treated as arson and that a person had been seen walking across the former hospital grounds just hours before it went up in flames.
Multiple 111 calls alerted Fire and Emergency to the blaze at the Seaview Terraces just after 7am. Photo / Jason Boult
Detective Sergeant Graham Parsons said first responders had initially feared a person may have been inside at the time the fire was lit.
“We had real fears for the welfare of that person, and resources had to be diverted until, thankfully, we were able to establish nobody was inside,” Parsons said.
“Police would like to acknowledge those people who have provided information and assistance.
“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.”
