A 12-year-old has been arrested and charged with arson after a blaze that destroyed the McDonald’s restaurant in Pakuranga last month.
Police had been investigating the suspicious fire which occurred on Pakuranga Rd on May 5.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey said the young person appeared in the Manukau Youth Court and was currently on court bail conditions.
“Police appreciate the fire has been of high interest to the local community.
“We are not able to comment further around the circumstances of the alleged offending, however police cannot rule out any further arrests in relation to the matter.”
Police were notified of the blaze on Pakuranga Rd at around 3pm on Monday. (Source: Supplied)
Large plumes of smoke could be seen and explosions heard at the fast food restaurant, which “sustained significant fire damage” in the May 5 blaze.
At its peak, six fire trucks from Howick, Ellerslie, Mt Wellington, Otara, and Papatoetoe were at the scene.
No one was injured.
Affected staff were offered specialist support and had received pay and potential work options, including redeployment to other branches, a McDonald’s spokesperson told 1News.
