Suspected arson of vehicle being investigated

A torched vehicle was found beside the Wallacetown-Riverton stretch of State Highway 99 early...
A torched vehicle was found beside the Wallacetown-Riverton stretch of State Highway 99 early yesterday. PHOTO: ABBEY PALMER
A shell was all that remained of an abandoned car following a suspected arson in Southland yesterday morning.

Caution tape was wrapped around the gutted six-seater vehicle in the car park of the Waimatuku Hall, near Thornbury.

Melted rubber lined the gravel surrounding the car and the interior was completely torched.

The vehicle was positioned close to a farm fence but did not appear to have caused any damage or spread to other structures.

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers were alerted to the car fire about 12.15am on the Wallacetown-Riverton stretch of State Highway 99.

There were no people in or near the vehicle when emergency services arrived.

The fire had been noted as a potential arson and police would be investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews were sent from Thornbury and Wallacetown and arrived to find the vehicle well alight.

It took them about an hour to put out the blaze before the investigation was handed over to police.

abbey.palmer@odt.co.nz

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