Police are calling for public assistance after a suspicious fire in Stokes Valley left an 81-year-old man in critical condition.
Early this morning at around 3:10 am, emergency services were called to a block of flats on Hanson Grove, where they found the man severely injured. He was rushed to Wellington Hospital, and the area has been cordoned off as police conduct a forensic investigation with help from Fire and Emergency New Zealand and ESR.
The blaze is being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be connected to two other early-morning fires that occurred at the same location in October.
Police are urging anyone with information, especially those with CCTV or dashcam footage, to come forward, as even minor details could be crucial to the investigation.
Those with relevant footage or who were in the area during the time of any of the fires are encouraged to contact the police, referencing Operation SOVE and the number 241105/2249, or to report anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.
