A couple who fled the scene of a fire that destroyed an historic homestead at the Skippers camping area on New Year's Day are ''embarrassed'', police say. The man and woman, who are believed to have been staying in Mount Aurum Homestead on the night of the fire, contacted police yesterday afternoon, after a public plea for information on their whereabouts. Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw, of Central Otago CIB, said in a statement he was satisfied the couple ''had reasons for not coming forward before now''. He told the Otago Daily Times police remained in contact with the couple while waiting for the fire investigator's final report. Other campers who worked to prevent the fire from spreading say the pair left the scene without alerting them or calling emergency services.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 02, 2018 14:48 UTC