New Zealand / Canterbury

Two churches hit in suspicious fires in Christchurch

10:28 am on 7 September 2020

A fire in Christchurch, which police are calling suspicious, has caused extensive damage to a church overnight.

The fire service were called to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness in Burwood at around 3am where it was well ablaze.

Fire and Emergency says the large building has extensive damage, and three crews were needed to put it out - but the cause of the blaze is not yet known.

In a statement, police said they are seeking information on three suspicious fires in Christchurch in the early hours of the morning.

"Police were alerted to three separate fires at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Parklands, the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral (Cardboard Cathedral) on Hereford Street and the Beach Road Cafe in New Brighton."

Police and Fire and Emergency staff will be attending all scenes this morning conducting scene examinations.

Police said anyone with information, or was in the areas of the fires between 3am and 6am, is urged to call 105.