Police are not ruling out a possible connection between an arson and an aggravated robbery in the central Hawke's Bay town of Waipukurau.
Chief Fire Officer Gary Weaver says crews found a fire in the lift well of the town's abandoned hospital and another blaze in a nearby disused storage building when they arrived just after 1.30am.
About 30 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
At about 9.30am, a man described as having some form of oil or soot on his face demanded money from a teller at a New Zealand Post Shop.
He did not brandish a weapon, but threatened to if money was not handed over.
Police say the man was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with yellow and white flames on the sleeves, light coloured trousers and had a black and silver backpack.
The sweatshirt was later found on State Highway 2 near Drumpeel Road in Otane.
Detective Constable Lisa Tod, of Hastings, says police are not discounting that the incidents are connected.
Ms Tod says they are keeping an open mind and are appealing for public information on the arson and robbery.
