Arsonist hits Waikuku rest home | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Police are hunting a dangerous arsonist who set three fires at a rest home last weekend, potentially endangering lives and putting nearby properties at risk.

Volunteer firefighters from Woodend and Rangiora raced to the Ashbridge rest home in Waikuku early on Sunday morning to find a shed and two vehicles burning fiercely.

The kitset-type garden shed, containing wheelchairs and bed frames, was destroyed along with an Audi Quattro car and a Mercedes-Benz van.

Fire investigators said the fires had been lit deliberately.

One of the burning vehicles was just 5m from the rest home building and about 40m from the other vehicle.

Detective Aaron George, of the Rangiora CIB, said it was believed the fires were started between 6am and 6.30pm. The Fire Service was alerted at 6.39am.

Police were seeking information from witnesses who may have noticed someone acting suspiciously in the area.

He said the arsons were of serious concern.

"Had the manager not seen the vehicles on fire as early as he did, the fires could easily have spread to the rest home or neighbouring properties," he said.

"There was a howling nor'wester blowing and ground conditions were very dry. We could have had a far more serious situation."

Detective George said there was no apparent motive for the attack.

A privately owned, independent rest home, Ashbridge caters for 13 guests on its 0.566ha property.

The Ashbridge website states it is run as a "home from home with a family feel" in park-like grounds with rooms overlooking expansive lawns and gardens.

Owner/manager Peter Fitt did not return calls from The Star yesterday.