Arson link with TV?

Press, 31 October 1977, Page 6

Arson link with TV?

PA Wanganui Arson — possibly provoked by a television broadcast — is thought to be the cause of a fire which destroyed a 12,000 sq. ft building at Ruapehu College, Ohakune, on Saturday night. The chairman of the school’s board of directors (Mr J. T. Gould) said there could be some connection between the fire and a news bulletin about fires in three other schools throughout the country earlier on Saturday evening. “You must admit there is a certain amount of coincidence. It was a great loss to the school, more so because of the amount of voluntary work that has gone into renovating the building.” he said.

Flames leaping up to 30 metres at the height of the blaze could be seen from all over the borough. The fire was the biggest in Ohakune for many years and broke out at 9.25 p.m. It was several hours before

the fire died down. A number of people remained at the scene until 2 a.m., damping it down. The building, known as] Sangro Barracks, was being renovated for use as an amenities and recreating block. The school had already spent almost $15,000 taking it from Waiouru Army Camp, laving foundations, and installing windows. Local residents have spent week-ends for the last six months tearing down inside partitions to allow for remodeiling. Detective G. J. Bell, of Taihape, said the fire was being treated as arson.