Search for person on grounds during 'arson' at abandoned hospital
Photo:
Google Maps
A
fire at the old Seaview Hospital
near Hokitika, was believed to be arson, police say as they appeal for a person seen on the grounds to come forward.
Fire crews arrived to find the Kotuku building well alight on Sunday morning.
Detective Sergeant Graham Parsons, said the fire was being treated as an arson.
Inside the former Seaview Hospital prior to the fire.
Photo:
Supplied / Jane Comeau
Police want to speak to a person who was seen walking across the hospital grounds at 3.20am that day, or anyone else who was in the Seaview area at the time.
Anyone with information should update police online or call 105 and use the reference number 250810/4743.
Information could be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Seaview has been a prison, a home for people who were mentally unwell and a backpackers in the past.
The hospital was closed in the early 2000's, with only a handful of patients left to transfer elsewhere.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Two arrested after armed threats in Christchurch
Police - with armed officers in attendance - cordoned off an address on Marshland Road and two people were taken into custody. File picture. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Two people are facing charges following reports of threatening behaviour with a firearm in Christchurch overnight. Emergency services were called to a group of people holding a firearm and making threats from a vehicle in Shirley around 1.20am. Police - with armed officers in attendance - cordoned off an address on Marshland Road and two people were taken into custody. A 32-year-old man will appear in Christchurch District Court on Monday facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition and possession of cannabis plant for supply. A 28-year-old man was also charged with obstructing police, and will appear the following week. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- RNZ News
One dead, two critically hurt after two-vehicle crash near Matamata
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER One person has died and two people have been critically injured following a crash north of Matamata on Saturday. Police said the crash involved two vehicles, and happened at the intersection of Waharoa Road East and Pohlen Road shortly before 5:25pm. The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance and the road remains closed. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
15 hours ago
- RNZ News
Spring Hill Prison lockdown ends after inmates start riot, light fires
Custodial Services Commissioner Leigh Marsh praised corrections staff for having safely brought the incident to an end, without any injury to staff or prisoners. Photo: Corrections / Chai Patel A prison riot at Spring Hill Corrections Facility in Waikato has come to an end. Fire and Emergency, St John, police and a Department of Corrections Advanced Control & Restraint team with "specialist capability" responded to the incident. Custodial Services Commissioner Leigh Marsh praised corrections staff for having safely brought the incident to an end, without any injury to staff or prisoners. About 3.30pm Saturday, a group of 11 prisoners had refused to leave the exercise yard. They lit a "small number of fires", and began damaging prison property. About two hours later all prisoners exited the yard and were secured, and the fires were put out, she said. "The incident was contained to the yard, and there was no threat to the safety of the public or the wider prison." The had been no reports of injury to any staff or prisoners, she said. "This behaviour will not be tolerated and the prisoners involved will be held to account. Corrections will carry out a review into the incident, and will also refer the matter to Police," she said. "We would like to acknowledge the support of our colleagues at FENZ, Police and Hato Hone St John in responding to this afternoon's incident." Fire and Emergency shift manager Michael Anderson said earlier five trucks, two water tankers, a ladder truck and a command unit had responded to the incident. . Police said they were advised at about 3.50pm of the disorder and fire at the facility. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
