The second arson attack on a cell tower in Wānaka in a matter of weeks has been slammed by the region's mayor.
The suspicious fire destroyed the cell tower in Upton St late last night.
Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers said the destruction showed "a complete disregard for community safety and infrastructure".
“I am deeply concerned and disappointed by the recent acts of vandalism targeting mobile infrastructure in our community.
"The deliberate destruction of a One NZ cell site in downtown Wānaka — the second such attack in as many weeks — is not only reckless, but it puts the safety and wellbeing of our residents and visitors at risk.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said a fire investigator was looking into the incident, which they were treating as suspicious.
Telecommunications company One NZ condemned the arson attack.
One NZ says the cell site has been destroyed and it will be at least a month before it's rebuilt.
The company says other sites are helping to provide coverage and people will still be able to make emergency calls.
It comes after a cell tower and two data boxes were damaged by suspicious fires in Albert Town, near Wānaka, last month.
Police said they were called out to reports of fires in Alison Ave on September 20.
They said there was significant damage to the telco infrastructure and nearby dwellings and cars were at serious risk.
Detective Phill Hamlin, of Otago Lakes Criminal Investigations, said police believed the Albert Town fires were "suspicious and intentionally" lit.
- Allied Media
