Kawakawa shop damaged in suspicious fire
A Kawakawa superette has been damaged in a suspicious fire just days after an arson attack destroyed a shed containing 40 years' worth of Northland Swimming records.
The latest blaze started just before 11pm on Monday at the rear of the VIP Superette on Gillies St.
Kawakawa fire chief Wayne Martin said the fire started in rubbish stacked behind the building and burned its way inside.
Firefighters attacked the blaze from inside and out, managing to put it out quickly, and vented the heavily smoke-logged building.
The owners had to throw out some stock in the storeroom, where the fire was located, but were able to open as usual on Tuesday morning. Mr Martin urged business owners to make sure bins were cleared regularly and flammable materials kept away from buildings.
If cardboard or other waste had to be stored outside overnight it should be kept away from walls.
Two crews from Kawakawa and one from Paihia fought the fire.
Fire Service Muriwhenua area manager Allan Kerrisk went door-to-door on Kawakawa's main street on Tuesday talking to business owners and handing out fire safety advice.
Another suspicious fire, at 6am on Friday, razed a shed next to Kawakawa's public pool used to store Northland Swimming's archives. Photos and records dating to 1972 were destroyed.
