14 Feb 2014

Man due in court after Fletcher fire

9:39 pm on 14 February 2014

A 54-year-old man is to appear in Wellington District Court on arson charges after fire severely damaged a large Fletcher Construction building near Wellington.

The blaze began about 10pm on Thursday and 12 fire engines were sent to the site in Grenada North.

The Fire Service said the building was well ablaze, but they managed to contain it before nearby buildings were affected.

Police in Wellington say they had information that the building was being targeted and tracked a vehicle the man was driving. He was arrested at his home in the Hutt Valley about 11.30pm.

Police said the man was arrested on charges related to another matter, but are also speaking to him about Thursday's fire in which more than $1 million in damage was caused.

They are calling for anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour in the Takapu Road area of Tawa on Thursday night to come forward.