It was important for the community that the person or persons responsible for arson attacks on the Alexandra Thyme Festival were caught and it was the community that would provide the vital information to do that, Central Otago police sub area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said yesterday.
A fire was deliberately started in the festival's hired marquee in Pioneer Park early on Saturday morning, with collapsible chairs stacked up as fuel for the fire.
The side and roof panels of the marquee were scorched and 23 chairs were destroyed. At last year's festival, a new Enviroschools tent and its contents were destroyed in an arson attack.
"Given that the same thing happened last year, it's likely to be a local or someone in the region at that time of the year. Someone in the community will know who is responsible," Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
The potential for major damage was huge and it was fortunate the fire was quelled so quickly by the Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade, he said.
He appealed for information and asked anyone in the area between 4-6am Saturday, or driving through town at that time, to contact police.
Anyone with information could contact the police anonymously on the Crimestoppers number - 0800 555 111
