A fire that severely damaged a vehicle workshop in west Auckland at the weekend is being treated as arson, investigators said today.
After the Fire Service was alerted about 5.10am yesterday, 10 appliances attended the fire at the New Lynn Compliance Centre in Drury St.
Fire safety officer Russell Dickson said fire had been determined as deliberately lit and police were investigating.
An unoccupied flat above a workshop area was severely damaged and the fire also made its way below to the workshop.
Mr Dickson said it could have been worse if there hadn't been people nearby.
"Luckily there were some young guys sleeping in the gym next door who noticed the fire and called the Fire Service," he said.
"If it wasn't for them, the place would probably be entirely gutted."
The centre processes imported vehicles to make them comply to road safety standards and a number of cars were also damaged.
