A blaze which damaged 25% of the Ocean Beach Scout Group hall in South Dunedin at the weekend is believed to be arson.
Willowbank senior station officer Rob Torrance said firefighters from Willowbank, St Kilda and Lookout Point Fire Stations were called to the fire at 3.30am yesterday, which damaged a small kitchen area and a garage at the rear of the Victoria Rd building.
"We thought a window had been broken at the back of the building. They've set a fire in the kitchen and then left through the back door."
Mr Torrance said firefighters spent more than four hours extinguishing the fire and dampening down hot spots.
Fire safety officers will investigate the cause of the fire.
Scout group leader Bevan Moreton said the garage contained up to $50,000 worth of camping equipment and the total cost of the damage could be as high as $150,000.
Although the buildings were insured, he was angry at the culprits.
"It's the stupid-mindedness of the larrikins. They have no respect for other people's property."
