Seven-year-old admits starting fire

Three youths - one aged only seven - have admitted lighting fires in Rotorua, including one which partially destroyed a shed in the suburb of Fordlands last night.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper said police and firefighters attended the fire in Bellingham Crescent at about 6pm.

"A shed at the property was unlawfully entered and rubbish within the shed set alight. The shed has been extensively damaged," Mr Loper said.

He said police caught up with three youths soon afterwards and two - aged 13 and 15 - had admitted setting it.

Mr Loper said a seven-year-old boy had also admitted to starting another fire in the street which damaged a shed and vehicle last month.

The Fordlands area has been plagued by arson attacks, with last night's blaze being the fifth in as many months.

Mr Loper said police did not believe the fires were all connected and were making progress in an investigation into a fire similar to last night's at the end of last year.

He said "sensationalised" reports by local media may have helped instigate copy cat type fires.

The two older youths who admitted their involvement in last night's fire have been referred to Rotorua Youth Aid while the younger boy will undergo fire prevention education.

One of the earlier fires in lit in the Fordlands area partially destroyed a house and fire officers had concerns that someone would be injured or killed if the attacks continued.

- NZPA