An 18-year-old man has been charged with arson after a fire destroyed the old Fitzherbert Tavern in Palmerston North
The fire on October 30. was deemed suspicious following initial enquiries and scene examination.
Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson said members of the public and CCTV footage helped identify and locate the man.
"Our investigation has identified a number of individuals who had been in the building during the afternoon of the incident, and they have been spoken to as part of our enquiries," Thompson said.
He said further action against those people was also likely.
Emergency services responded to the fire at 5.15pm on the day, with nine fire trucks and a specialist support support unit on scene at the height of the blaze.
An alert warned local residents to stay inside and close windows as thick black smoke billowed from the burning building.
Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed there was asbestos in the building, forcing six schools and five early childhood centres to close the next day as a precaution.
The charged 18-year-old would be appearing in the Palmerston North District Court on November 18.
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