Hall burned after police end party

A Western Bay of Plenty community hall burned to the ground just hours after police shut down an out-of-control party held inside.

The Apata Hall, near Tauranga, was about 50 years old and had been used by the community for events including weddings and funerals.

But the wooden building was extensively damaged after someone set fire to a car on the hall steps in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The riot squad from Tauranga had earlier broken up the party in the hall, which has been the target of vandalism in the past.

The police had bottles thrown at them but no arrests were made.

After the party was closed down, one partygoer from Taupo elected to leave his car outside the hall rather than drive home.

That vehicle was driven or lifted on to the hall steps some time later and set alight.

Katikati fire chief Joe Manukau said the building was well alight when two appliances from Katikati arrived to assist the Omokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade.

"Firefighters with breathing apparatus entered the building to get to the seat of the blaze.

"We were lucky to save as much as we could because the fire was so intense," he said.

One woman whose son was at the party -- a joint 21st birthday -- said the fire was not linked to party guests.

"We were sensible, the party broke up and we locked the hall," she said.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES