A person is being sought by police after a fire was “deliberately lit” at a mosque in Auckland this morning.
Emergency services were called to the mosque on Astley Ave in New Lynn at around 9am following a report of a fire, Detective Inspector Callum McNeill said.
“Upon arrival, police and fire investigators have established the fire has been deliberately lit.”
CCTV shows a person allegedly breaking into the building just before 1am and lighting the fire.
The fire continued to smoulder “until just after 9am when it became visible and emergency services were called”.
“The investigation remains ongoing, however police are following positive lines of enquiry to locate the person responsible,” McNeill said.
“At this early stage, police are still investigating possible motive and we cannot say at this point that it is a hate-related crime.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand central shift manager Murray Dunbar said crews were called to the scene by police at 9.43am.
The blaze — a “small fire on the ground floor” — was extinguished by 10.14am.
Three crews were called to the scene.
McNeill said police are providing support to the Muslim community “and want to reassure the wider community we are working hard to locate the person responsible”.
There will be an increased police presence around mosques throughout Auckland “to ensure the community feels safe”.
Witnesses or anyone with information has been asked to contact police.