Man charged with arson over Masterton church and chapel fires

Sunday 18 May 2025 · 6 outlets · 5 reports · updated Sun 18 May 2025, 6:56pm

A 44-year-old man has been arrested and charged with seven counts of arson following a series of suspicious fires in Masterton on 22 February. The fires damaged six churches and a chapel at a funeral home. The man is expected to appear in the Masterton District Court on Monday.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffSun 18 May 2025, 4:25pm

   Man charged over Masterton church fires (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsSun 18 May 2025, 4:33pm

   Masterton church fires: Man charged with seven counts of arson (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldSun 18 May 2025, 4:44pm

   Masterton church fires: Police arrest man, charge him with seven counts of arson (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesSun 18 May 2025, 6:25pm

   Man charged over fires in seven churches, chapel (opens in new tab)

5. RNZSun 18 May 2025, 6:56pm

   Man charged over seven suspicious fires in Masterton churches, chapel (opens in new tab)