Police arrest woman after house fire

Tuesday, 8 October 2013 - 3:37pm

Central

Levin Police have arrested a 40-year-old woman at her Hokio Beach property this morning after she tried to avoid arrest and then set her house on fire.

The woman had an active warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear in Court last week.

At around 7:45am two officers visited her property and started speaking to her through a front window.

"The woman displayed some concerning behaviour and had an iron bar in her hand. The officers were genuinely concerned for her safety and well-being and tried to communicate further with her. At this point we believe the woman has retreated into a bedroom and set it on fire," says Sergeant Martin Bull, officer in charge of the Levin Police Station.

The officers noticed smoke coming out of the house and quickly alerted the Fire Service. They then entered the house to look for the woman and by this stage the fire had spread rapidly and filled the house with smoke.

A man passing by saw the officers and has assisted them with searching the house. All three have gone to the back door and kicked it open, searching the first two rooms. They overturned beds and tables looking for the woman.

"The heat from the fire caused a section of the roof to start collapsing and the smoke and heat has forced the officers and the man to leave the burning house.

"Once outside the house the officers have searched the section for the woman and located her hiding in some bushes at the rear of the property. She was the arrested and brought back to the Levin Police Station to undergo a mental health assessment. Charges are yet to be laid."

The house has been severely damaged by the fire and the scene which is currently cordoned off is being examined by detectives and a Fire Scene Investigator.

The two officers and the man were checked by medical staff and did not require any treatment.

"I want to commend the officers and the good samaritan for their bravery. They all risked their lives to find the woman and their actions show real selflessness," says Mr Bull.

ENDS

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