A fire that destroyed a Kerikeri Salvation Army family store is now being treated as suspicious.
Investigators believe the blaze was likely deliberately lit after a fire ripped through the Kerikeri Rd building on April 15.
Emergency services were called about 6.25pm after flames broke out in the building, which houses both the Salvation Army store and Kerikeri Bakehouse and Cafe.
The Salvation Army store suffered heavy damage, with stock destroyed and the building left boarded up while repairs are assessed.
The fire also disrupted the neighbouring bakery. A 90kg gas bottle caught fire at the rear of the property, forcing the business to temporarily close.
For the bakery’s owners, the timing could hardly have been worse. The young family had only recently taken over the business before the fire hit.
Repair crews have since been brought in to check gas, electrical and refrigeration systems as the bakery works to reopen.
Fire crews from Kerikeri were backed up by teams from Paihia, Kaikohe and Ōkaihau as firefighters spent several hours containing the blaze.
Kerikeri Rd was temporarily closed while crews worked at the scene.
Investigators believe the fire started at the rear of the building before spreading into the roof space.
Police and fire investigators are continuing inquiries into the suspicious Kerikeri fire.
The Paper 