- Seven churches targeted in suspected overnight arson attack in New Zealand.
- Authorities treating the fires as suspicious; no arrests made yet.
- Police investigating viral video of a man claiming responsibility.
Seven churches in New Zealand were targeted in a series of suspected arson attacks overnight, with four in the town of Masterton sustaining “moderate to significant” damage.
Authorities also found evidence suggesting three other church buildings had been targeted but failed to catch fire.
Emergency crews from across the Wairarapa region responded to the fires at approximately 4:30 a.m. local time on Saturday (15:30 GMT on Friday).
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Fire and Emergency New Zealand confirmed that all incidents are being treated as suspicious, and police have launched an investigation, though no arrests have been made.
The affected churches include the Anglican Church of the Epiphany, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Masterton, Masterton Baptist Church, and Equippers Church Masterton.
Reports from local media describe scenes of broken windows, burnt furniture, and scorched interiors. Fortunately, all fires have been extinguished, and no injuries have been reported.
In a separate incident, a funeral home in the area, which contains a chapel, was also set ablaze around 10:00 a.m. but was unoccupied at the time.
Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell expressed shock over the attacks, calling them “completely unexpected” for the town. Local MP Mike Butterick echoed his concerns, describing the attacks as deeply saddening and praising first responders for their swift actions.
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Authorities are increasing patrols in Masterton and nearby towns, urging residents to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, a video circulating online reportedly shows a man claiming responsibility for the attacks while expressing anti-religious and anti-monarchist sentiments.
This incident follows a troubling pattern of arson attacks on religious buildings in New Zealand. Last year, a church in Auckland suffered two arson attacks in one night, and a mosque in the same area was set on fire in November.
In 2019, New Zealand witnessed its deadliest mass shooting when 51 people were killed at two mosques in Christchurch, with the perpetrator later admitting he had intended to burn the mosques down to maximize casualties.
