Two red-zoned properties have been burned in suspected arson in Christchurch.
The Fire Service said a member of the public spotted fires at two homes within 600 metres of each other on New Brighton Road about 3.45am on Wednesday.
Fire Service shift manager Andrew Norris said the larger of the two fires, near Lake Terrace Road, had caused extensive damage. Both were being treated as suspicious and police and Fire Service investigators were looking into the fires.
Gore school fire
An investigation is underway to establish the cause of a fire that gutted a building at the East Gore Primary School.
Emergency services were called to the fire at the Wentworth Street school at 7.55pm on Tuesday after being alerted by a passing member of the public.
Police said it was too early to say whether the fire was suspicious.
The building, which was destroyed in the fire, was used by the school as a storage and wet-weather facility.
