Police appeal for pub patrons after fire

Police are appealing for patrons of a Bay of Plenty pub gutted by fire on Friday to come forward.

Emergency services were called to the Pinelands Hotel in Kawerau about 3am on Friday.

By the time the first fire trucks arrived the flames had a good hold on the 70 metre-long building and firefighters were still battling the blaze two hours later.

The hotel's bar area was well ablaze when emergency services arrived and it was gutted, Detective Sergeant Ross Everest of Whakatane police said.

Police were investigating reports that the owner was doused in petrol during a robbery before the blaze.

Mr Everest today said police were speaking to guests who were drinking at the hotel on Thursday night and Friday morning.

Police were also investigating a reported aggravated robbery before the fire, and whether an accelerant was used at the scene of the fire.

He said last week that the bar's owner "may have had a very lucky escape".

The hotel was a one-level structure with a part-mezzanine level, and a sports bar, gaming machines and a wholesale liquor outlet.

The business was advertised for sale.

Mr Everest said police had had some success in tracking down patrons but still wanted others to come foward.

The district council and insurance company would decide whether the building would be demolished, he said.

- NZPA