Levin locals 'upset', 'sad' after spate of suspected arson attacks

Levin locals are worried about a string of suspected arson attacks sweeping the area.

The latest was a local church which was burnt to the ground in the early hours of Saturday morning - and while police are saying don't panic, they're appealing to the public for help.

When Beverly Winiata went to bed on Friday night, she lived next to an old church. Now, there's just charred remains.

"The firewoman said you could see the flames from Shannon," she explained.

Ms Winiata's house was damaged from the heat of the blaze, which police suspect might be the work of an arsonist.

An investigation is underway into four potentially deliberate fires in the last three months - the first couple were in bins, but things have quickly escalated.

Locals and neighbours have been left deeply concerned.

"A lot of people go round at night, walk around at night, so you just don't know who is about," Ms Winiata said.

It wasn't the main church building that burnt down - it was their old sanctuary that they'd been using as a hall.

But the families that gathered at Levin Life Church on Sunday told Newshub five decades of memories went up in smoke.

"This place has housed weddings, children's ministries, play groups," explained senior minister Paul White.

"The majority of our people are obviously a little upset, obviously a little sad."

Police are appealing to anyone who lives local to the Levin church, or who has CCTV footage from around the time of the fire that may show cars or people in the area to get in touch.

Even though her roof is damaged, Beverly Winiata's refusing to leave her house as she's concerned it could be targeted if it's empty.

"They wanted me not to be here and I said, 'No, this is my house and I want to keep an eye on it'," she said.

Police don't yet have any evidence the fires are linked - or that one person is behind them - but the number of suspicious blazes in this town certainly has locals talking.

Newshub.