Suspicious fires in Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington

Lower Hutt Police are investigating three suspicious fires over the past 24 hours.

The first fire occurred at Wainuiomata Gospel Hall on Fitzherbert Road at 10.15pm last night, causing minor damage.

Senior Sergeant Marc Clausen of Lower Hutt Police says this afternoon there have been two further suspicious fires.

"At around 4pm this afternoon a rubbish truck was set on fire in Adelaide Street, Petone, which caused minor damage to one of the front tyres of the truck. A further fire was then reported at about 5:30pm at Wainuiomata Pioneer Church in Coast Road."

It appears paper was placed under the church and then set alight.

Senior Sergeant Clausen says a short time ago, Police located a vehicle in Johnsonville, seen at the time of the fire at Wainuiomata Pioneer Church. The male occupant of this vehicle is currently speaking with Police.

"We want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed any of these fires over the past 24 hours. At this stage we are unsure whether these fires are linked."

Police across the District are also investigating a number of other suspicious fires which have occurred last night. These include a fire at a church in Cannons Creek and another in Pauatahanui, a fire at Tony's Tyre Service in Porirua and a fire at the Scout Hall in Seatoun.

This evening, Porirua Police have attended three further suspicious fires. One at Horouta ki Poneke Marae in Whitford Brown, Porirua, at 8:50pm, another one at an unoccupied house in Bluff Road, Porirua, shortly before 9:30pm and a fire in a Porta Loo on Main Road, Tawa near Takapu Road railway station at 9:50pm.

Anyone with any information on any of the suspicious fires over the weekend should phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or phone their local Police Station.