Early Saturday morning, seven churches in Masterton, New Zealand, were the victims of a suspected arson spree, with four sustaining significant damage. Authorities are treating the fires as suspicious and urging witnesses to come forward, as local leaders express their sorrow and support for first responders.
Surge in Church Arson: Seven New Zealand Churches Attacked Overnight
Surge in Church Arson: Seven New Zealand Churches Attacked Overnight
A series of suspected arson attacks targeted seven churches in New Zealand, leaving the local community in shock.
Emergency services were alerted early Saturday morning to a series of fires at churches in Masterton, New Zealand, raising alarms about an apparent arson spree. In total, seven churches were targeted, with four suffering "moderate to significant" damage. Crews from across the Wairarapa region responded swiftly to the crisis, which unfolded around 04:30 local time (15:30 GMT on Friday).
Authorities confirmed the targeted churches include the Anglican Church of The Epiphany, St Patrick's Catholic Church, Masterton Baptist Church, and Equippers Church Masterton. Local reports describe scenes of broken windows, charred furniture, and scorched upholstery. Fortunately, all fires were extinguished without injuries reported.
Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell expressed shock over the incidents, emphasizing that such acts are unexpected in their community. He stated, "You just don't expect something like this to happen, particularly in a place like Masterton." Local MP Mike Butterick also voiced his deep sorrow, praising first responders as "heroes".
In a disturbing twist, a video has emerged on social media featuring a man claiming responsibility for the attacks, expressing anti-religious and anti-monarchist sentiments. Meanwhile, a funeral home chapel was also set on fire around 10:00, although it was unoccupied at the time.
The police are maintaining a presence at the scene and have called for witnesses to come forward, with patrols planned in Masterton and nearby towns to reassure residents. This wave of attacks comes amid a troubling pattern of violence towards religious buildings in New Zealand, following previous arson incidents in Auckland and the tragic mass shootings at mosques in Christchurch in 2019. The community is left grappling with the implications of these attacks, highlighting the ongoing issues related to religious intolerance and safety within the nation.
