Dunedin suspicious fires and arson charges

The story so far

The fires included a vacant commercial building on Harrow Street, a residential property on Lees Street and a row of pine trees, and all were contained by 5am.^{18 Nov 2025} On Tuesday morning, an empty house in central Dunedin was destroyed by fire, which police allege was started with explosives, and a 48-year-old man was arrested and charged.^{20 Nov 2025} Police later said the man was charged over a series of suspicious fires, including a vacant Lees Street property that was allegedly set alight with Molotov cocktails.^{21 Nov 2025} In December he faced five arson charges in Dunedin District Court, with the alleged incidents including the Lees Street property and a derelict former hospital.^{16 Dec 2025}

Latest

The 48-year-old man appeared in Dunedin District Court on five arson charges, and no pleas have been entered.^{16 Dec 2025} He remains in custody.^{16 Dec 2025}

Key moments

1. 18 Nov 2025Five overnight fires in Dunedin; three treated as suspicious.
2. 20 Nov 2025Man arrested and charged after empty central Dunedin house destroyed by fire.
3. 20 Nov 2025Police allege the house fire was started using explosives.
4. 21 Nov 2025Police allege Lees Street fire was started with Molotov cocktails.
5. 16 Dec 2025Man faces five arson charges in Dunedin District Court; no pleas entered.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.