An unoccupied house went up in flames in suspicious circumstances just after midnight yesterday. A neighbour who initially heard an explosion later looked out to see the older-style Doyle Street house aflame. Greymouth fire chief Lee Swinburn said the house was well alight when the first fire crews arrived. Electricity was still connected to the house, which backs on to the Blaketown Rugby Club grounds, although it was unoccupied at the time. "The call came from a neighbour saying they heard an explosion at the rear of the house and later realised it was on fire."

Source: Otago Daily Times April 28, 2020 03:00 UTC