Detective Inspector Marty James, District Manager Criminal Investigations:

An investigation is under way into a house fire in Wairoa overnight.

Emergency services were called to the well-involved fire on Apatu Street about 7pm on Friday. The house had been vacant for several years, and no injuries were reported.

The house suffered substantial damage, and a neighbouring property was also damaged by the fire.

Today, Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand carried out a scene examination, though the cause of the fire is unexplained.

Enquiries are ongoing, but at this stage we are satisfied the fire is not connected to any gang-related incidents that occurred in Wairoa earlier this month.

On Thursday, Eastern District Police were issued a Gang Conflict Warrant following several incidents stemming from ongoing tensions between Mongrel Mob and Black Power. A significant operation is under way across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, including in Wairoa.

The Gang Conflict Warrant is issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act and gives us special powers to search vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms, weapons and vehicles.

While we do not believe the Apatu Street fire is related to those tensions, Police will continue to have a highly visible presence in the Wairoa community, and in communities around the Eastern District.

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