NZ News: Piha fires ‘actually scaring people in their homes’

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Piha residents hope police will catch any suspected arsonists before they can cause any more damage.

About 20 homes were evacuated over the weekend, as around 90 firefighters battled blazes across seven hectares of scrub land.

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Fire crews fought suspicious fires north and south of the town and a suspicious blaze at the local fish and chip shop caused significant damage.

Lion Rock Board Riders Club secretary Phil Wallis said that the people responsible don’t appreciate the effect of their actions.

“Whoever’s doing this is actually scaring people in their homes,” he said.

“Whoever’s doing this is irrational and unstable. We’re just hoping that the police catch them as soon as possible.”

Police say the fires are putting innocent people at risk and are being taken seriously.

Mr Wallis said the fires have come dangerously close to people’s homes, making residents of the town feel unsafe.

“People feel like their home town is under attack, and because a lot of people’s houses are surrounded by bush they are really, really concerned.”

Police are increasing patrols and asking locals to report any suspicious behaviour.

Meanwhile, the owners of the Piha fish and chip shop damaged by fire don’t know what it will mean for their business, or their staff.

Owners Adrian and Vicki Doggett arrived home from a Fijian holiday last night to survey the damage.

Piha senior lifeguard Duncan Clark said the fire is a personal attack against Adrian, who’s a hard-worker and valuable employer in the town.

“He’s lost for words. [The town] are gonna rally around to do what we can, but he’s worried about his staff and what they’re gonna do for money and for jobs in the foreseeable future.”

Piha fish and Chip shop owner Adrian Doggett (Michael Craig)

The couple have said they have insurance and are thankful no one was hurt in the fire.

Mr Clark also said that locals want the suspected arsonists to hand themselves in and leave the town alone, or may face vigilante action.

“This person would do really well to hand themselves into police to try and explain their actions because if they get caught there’s a vigilante
underground here,” he said.

“They’ll want his blood”

Police completed a scene examination of the fish and chip shop yesterday.

-NewstalkZB

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