Second arson attack on Feilding church

File photo / NZH

Feilding's Baptist Church has been targeted by an arsonist for the second time this year, with today's fire destroying the church hall beyond repair, police say.

Firefighters were called to a fire in Bowen St at 6am, to the same church hall which was set alight and damaged on January 20. It took an hour to control the fire this morning.

Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to the main church building but the hall was three quarters destroyed and was beyond repair, Detective David Burmeister said.

"It is possible that the same person or group is responsible for both fires. Someone in the community must have an idea who is responsible for these fires and they need to come forward," he said.

No one was injured in either fire but Mr Burmeister said the situation could have been very different if anyone had been in the building when the fires broke out.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who was in the area this morning.

Both fires are being investigated.

- NZPA