A fire that destroyed a van parked in a car park at the St Clair esplanade in Dunedin yesterday is being treated as arson.
Fire Safety Officer Barry Gibson said it appeared the fire was deliberately set inside the back of the van.
The Fire Service had referred the incident to police, who removed the remains of the van for further investigation yesterday afternoon.
The 12.30pm blaze created "quite a bit of excitement" on the crowded esplanade as compressed air in the van's back-door hydraulic system caused several small explosions during the fire.
The van had been stationed at the car park for several weeks, Mr Gibson said.
He understood its occupant was a surfer who was staying in the van while he worked nearby. The occupant was out surfing at the time, he said.
No-one was injured and no other vehicles were damaged by the fire.
