Kawerau hotel fire deliberately lit - suspects being sought

Following an extensive scene examination of the remains of the Kawerau hotel buildings Police are satisfied that the fire was deliberately lit.

Detective Sergeant Ross Everest of Whakatane Police said the publican of the Pinelands Hotel was doused with an accelerant, tied up and later saw his livelihood burn down before his eyes.

"He had earlier been disturbed by two men dressed in black track pants and black hoodies. The only feature that distinguished the two assailants was that one wore a black scarf covering his face and the second a red scarf also covering his face."

At approximately 3.00am that morning, these two men have left the scene carrying backpacks which had been filled with bottles of spirits which had been taken from the Hotel bar area They also left with a sum of cash from the Hotel safe. It is possible that a female accomplice was waiting to drive them away from the scene said Mr Everest

The backpacks have been described as the type that have draw-strings at the top to close them.

Although a number of people have been spoken to Eastern Bay of Plenty, Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of the Hotel that evening, more specifically, anyone who has been seen with an unexplained quantity of spirits or cash. The investigation into the fire which destroyed the Pinelands Hotel is continuing.

Any information will be treated as confidential and can be forwarded to either the Whakatane (-7 308 5255) or Kawerau (07 323 1400) Police Stations.