Fire scene examination could take several days

Taupo Police say it could be another two days before they and specialist fire investigators can complete the scene examination of a Whakamaru service station destroyed by fire overnight.

Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce, Taupo CIB, said the intensity of the early morning fire at Gasoline Alley, 35km from Taupo, was such that the service station and workshop was totally destroyed.

“We need to make sure the fire is totally extinguished before the scene is fully examined,” Detective Senior Sergeant Pearce said. “Firefighters have today been dampening the scene down to enable specialist fire and police investigators to get in and find out what’s happened.”

He said police are treating the fire as suspicious unless the scene examination establishes otherwise.

Anyone who saw the fire or has any information which will help the inquiry is asked to call Tokoroa Police on telephone: 07 885 0100.