The King's High School gymnasium and Gas and Water Ltd, in Glasgow St, were damaged in what police described as ''two deliberately lit fires'' between 6am and 7am on Saturday.
''The King's High fire appears to have been started by newspaper being pushed up against the wall of the gymnasium and has caused structural damage which will be expensive to repair,'' Detective Sergeant Brett Roberts said yesterday.
''The second fire was outside a commercial building at 121 Glasgow St, near the intersection with Macandrew Rd.
This fire also appears to have been started by newspaper being lit against the brick building. Damage occurred to the wall and plastic downpiping of the premises.''
The latter fire was discovered by a passerby at 7am and extinguished.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of King Edward St, Macandrew Rd, Kirkcaldy St, Bathgate Park School, Bay View Rd and King's High School who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously at the time, or walking in the area carrying newspapers, Det Sgt Roberts said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Dunedin police on 471-4800 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555-111.
