Police follow lines of inquiry in hunt for arsonist

File photo / NZH

Police are following various leads in their hunt for arsonist who torched a former boys' home near Levin.

The fire broke out in a large shed, used for storage of firewood, which was once part the former Kohitere Boys Home on Cd Farm Road early on Tuesday morning.

Up to $500,000 worth of top quality firewood went up in flames

Firefighters pulled back after 11 hours allowing the blaze to burn itself out as there was no life, property or land in danger.

Manawatu assistant area commander Roger Calder said an investigation by fire safety officers deemed the blaze to be suspicious and police were now following various lines of inquiry.

The property was handed back to the firewood business owner John Matangi on Wednesday.

- NZPA