Ōpōtiki Coastguard building, digger fire: Man arrested, charged with arson

Police have arrested a man and charged him with arson in connection with a fire at the Ōpōtiki Coastguard building in the Bay of Plenty.

Police got a report of a break-in at the building overnight and found a digger ablaze at a nearby industrial lot by the town’s wharf about 3am today.

A 37-year-old man was charged with arson and was due to appear in the Whakatāne District Court tomorrow.

Police were continuing to make inquiries into the break-in.

‘Why pick on us, people who just want to help out? It’s soul-destroying’ - president

Ōpōtiki Coastguard president Ron Jones questioned why someone would target their building, saying it was “lower than low”.

Jones said: “Why pick on us? It’s gutting for a bunch of people who just want to help out. It’s real soul destroying.”

The arsonist allegedly targeted the Coastguard’s training manuals, Jones said. They were found smouldering this morning.

“I’m really pissed. We [Coastguard volunteers] have a private messenger page, and everyone’s the same. We’re there to help people, you know? I mean, we just did a rescue on Sunday.”

Fire damage at the Ōpōtiki Coastguard building on Monday, May 20, 2024. Photo / Ōpōtiki Coastguard

There was no obvious damage to the building’s structure, but the training manuals and boat logs were destroyed, Jones said.

He said it was the third time the building, which was also used by the wider community, had been targeted.

“So, probably a good clean up will [be needed to] get rid of the stink, because the whole building was full of smoke when I got down there.”

He said plans for a new building had already been in the works, and this incident may force this to be brought forward.

“And, you know, we are looking for donations for our new building,” he said.

Jones sent a message to the alleged arsonist: “I don’t think you can print it, but what a f***ing idiot.”

Ōpōtiki Coastguard president Ron Jones questioned why someone would target their building, saying it was 'lower than low'. Photo / Ōpōtiki Coastguard

Jones said it was the third time the Coastguard building, which was also used by the wider community, had been targeted. Photo / Ōpōtiki Coastguard

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.