19-year-old charged with arson after fire threatens historic Kemp House in New Zealand
A 19-year-old has been charged with arson after a blaze at Honey House Cafe in Kerikeri threatened the adjacent 204-year-old Kemp House.
Police have charged a 19-year-old man with arson after a fire erupted at the Honey House Cafe in Kerikeri, New Zealand, on Friday night. The blaze threatened the neighboring Kemp House, the country's oldest standing building at 204 years old, but firefighters contained the flames and prevented damage to the heritage site. Shortly after, crews responded to another suspicious fire on Landing Road, where a tree was deliberately set ablaze.
Far North investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Fouhy confirmed that no one was injured in either incident. Authorities said information supplied by members of the public was crucial in pinpointing the suspect. The accused is due to appear before the Kaikohe District Court on Tuesday.
