Police are treating a fire that took hold in a Gore shop and adjoining home yesterday as suspicious, after other fires were reported nearby.
Firefighters from throughout the Gore district were needed to tackle the blaze at the corner of Hamilton and Lawrence Sts about 4am after the fire was reported.
''It was well ablaze on arrival,'' a Fire Service spokesman said.
The building was an old shop with accommodation to the rear.
It is understood the occupants were rescued by a passing motorist, but the Fire Service could not confirm that yesterday.
The shop was extensively damaged by the fire, but there was ''minimal damage to the accommodation area'', the Fire Service spokesman said.
The source of the fire was initially believed to be a fuse box in the store, but last night police said it was being treated as suspicious.
''Police and a fire investigator have today carried out inquiries at the scene and are now treating it as suspicious,'' Sergeant Greg Ballantyne, of Gore, said.
Police learned pamphlets had been set on fire in letter boxes in Hamilton St overnight.
Gore police (03) 203- 9300.
