Police have arrested and charged a man after fires were set at six churches and a business in Masterton earlier this year.
Emergency services responded to a series of suspicious fires on February 22 believed to have been started between 4.25am and 4.35am.
The Anglican Church of the Epiphany, St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Masterton Baptist Church, and Equippers Church Masterton all suffered damage ranging from “moderate to significant”.
Crews responded from across the Wairarapa region and from as far away as Avalon Station in Lower Hutt.
Police said officers had carried out checks at other churches in the town on Saturday morning — and located evidence to suggest three further churches were targeted but did not catch alight.
“It does look as if they’ve used petrol bombs [for at least some of the churches],” a police spokesperson said.
“The great thing about this is no one’s been injured.”
Police earlier said they were following “strong lines of inquiry” and sought information about a green Ford Festiva seen leaving one of the fires.
“Police are working to establish the movements of the vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning when the arsons were reported, and the day or days beforehand,” a spokesperson said.
The vehicle was located abandoned on Sunday on Mikimiki Rd, north of Masterton, leading armed police to cordon off the road as they worked to locate the occupant.
“A significant search was deployed into the area, however no occupants of the vehicle were located,” the spokesperson added.
Today, however, Police executed a search warrant in Masterton and arrested a 44-year-old man without incident.
The blazes were believed to have started between 4.25am and 4.35am. (Source: 1News)
Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom thanked the community for its support during the investigation.
“The fires were unsettling and upsetting for many people, and I hope today’s arrest brings some comfort.
“Information from the public has played a pivotal role in this investigation and I want to thank everyone who has helped us, including the dedicated investigators who have spent months following leads and making inquiries.”
The man was expected to appear in Masterton District Court tomorrow on seven charges of arson.