Suspicious Martinborough fire

Martinborough fire chief Garry Jackson said a fire at Reload Bar & Brasserie, started in a lean-to beer garden, and appeared to have been lit on purpose.

Police are investigating a suspicious fire at Reload Bar & Brasserie in Martinborough yesterday.

Firefighters were called out to the fire in Memorial Square just before 7.30am and had the blaze under control within 30 minutes.

Martinborough fire chief Garry Jackson said the fire, started in a lean-to beer garden, appeared to have been lit on purpose.

"There was paper stuffed up in there that the police are looking at.

"It's obviously been lit on purpose."

Mr Jackson said the fire had been contained to the lean-to and had done minimal damage.

"It was lucky that it didn't get into the building.

"We were there in pretty quick time and it did not spread, it was only contained to a very small area."