Police seek occupants of car at blaze

The occupants of a car parked near a suspicious blaze at the former Waipukurau Hospital in central Hawke's Bay may have information vital to arson inquiries, police say.

Firefighters discovered the main three-storey building and a smaller nearby building alight when they arrived about 1.30am on Monday, sparking suspicions the fire may have been deliberately lit.

A firefighter from the first crew to reach the blaze saw what was believed to be a white Mitsubishi station wagon parked inside the hospital grounds with two people in it, Detective Glen Yule of Hastings police said.

Police would like to speak with the occupants.

"We just need to eliminate them from our inquiry, to find out what they've seen. They might have just been passing by, I don't know, but we would like to speak with them."

Some useful information had come to light, but second-hand information from witnesses was hampering police inquiries, Mr Yule said.

"It needs to come to police. I can't reiterate that enough – if people are withholding information, they need to contact us directly."

Anyone who wanted to talk to police anonymously could call the Hawke's Bay crime line on 0800 566 7789.

Police were "keeping an open mind" about whether the suspicious fire was linked to the robbery of a Post Shop on the main street of Waipukurau, also on Monday morning, Mr Yule said.

The man entered the shop at 9.27am and demanded money from staff before walking back out and disappearing.

He had oil or soot on his face and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with yellow and white flames down the side and carrying a black and silver backpack.

- NZPA