Police are investigating after a "deliberately lit" fire gutted a café on Auckland's Hibiscus Coast over the weekend.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire at Sunflour in Ōrewa around 11.20pm on Saturday. Multiple calls at the time reported flames coming from the two-storey building.
On Sunday, the café's owners said they were “devastated” after their "little home away from home" was seriously damaged in the incident, which they said involved a break-in and deliberate ignition.
"This place means so much to us and to so many of you who’ve made it part of your daily routine, celebrations, and community," the owners said in a Facebook post.
"But we want you to know one thing: we’re not going anywhere.
"We’re already working on getting things cleaned up and repaired so we can reopen as soon as possible."
They thanked the community for their support, saying their messages and kind words "have meant the world to us".
"We’ll keep you updated on our progress — and when we’re ready to welcome you back through the doors, it’ll be with even more love, resilience, and good coffee than before."
Attempted arson, damage at nearby businesses
Commander Inspector John Thornley today said Operation Governor had been set up to investigate the fire on Ōrewa’s main strip, as police continue to probe another attempted arson and damage at nearby businesses in the area in recent months.
"It’s fortunate that no one has been harmed as a result of this fire, which is considered to be deliberately lit," he said.
Residents can expect to see a larger police presence in the area over the coming days.
Thornley added that the attacks on businesses would not be tolerated, and police were working hard to hold those responsible to account.
"These arsons are not only damaging property, but it’s affecting peoples’ livelihoods, and police is open-minded about whether any of these incidents are linked."
Thornley said it was highly likely information from the community may prove pivotal in the investigation, adding that the investigation team would be speaking with members of the public in the coming days.
"We want to hear about any suspicious activity that people might have seen on Saturday night," Thornley said.
Anyone with dashcam footage around the Ōrewa township between 10pm and midnight on Saturday has been urged to contact police.
"No piece of information is too small, so please come forward as soon as possible."
People could also provide information by calling 105 or online, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
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