House fire deliberate - police

A house fire in the Central North Island township of Feilding was started deliberately, police say.

The fire started at about 3am yesterday and caused extensive damage to the weatherboard block of four flats.

Detective Natasha Allan said the fire was believed to have started in the only flat that was not occupied.

"Four people in the three tenanted flats were asleep at the time of the fire, but thankfully one occupant woke up and raised the alarm evacuating the other occupants," Ms Allan said.

She said the letter box was also set on fire.

Ms Allan said police wanted to hear anyone who may have been in the area of Marlborough Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.

She said anyone with information on the fire should call her on (06) 323 6363.

-NZHERALD STAFF