Masterton cops probe suspicious fires

Masterton firefighters scrambled to two suspicious fires in the town overnight Tuesday.

A fire communications spokeswoman said the first fire broke out in a wheelie bin behind commercial premises in southern Queen St near the Russell St intersection soon after 7pm.

The fire was believed to have been deliberately lit and police had been notified.

Firefighters and police were called to a second suspicious fire about five hours later when a car was reported ablaze near the Queen Elizabeth Park skate bowl just after midnight.

The spokeswoman said flames had engulfed the Ford sedan by the time firefighters arrived.

Police were investigating.