New Zealand police investigate string of church burnings

Authorities in the city of Masterton on Sunday continued to search for anyone involved in a series of arson attacks early Saturday morning. Officials said someone targeted at least six churches and the chapel of a funeral home, with four houses of worship sustaining moderate to significant damage. The Anglican Church Of The Epiphany, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Masterton, Masterton Baptist Church, and Equippers Church Masterton all caught fire. No one was injured in the attacks.

Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell told local media that he condemned the burnings. Area organizations, schools, and community members had rallied behind the burned churches, he said. Area lawmaker Mike Butterick thanked local law enforcement and fire officials for responding quickly to the fires.

Do the police have any leads? Videos posted online appeared to show a man claiming responsibility for the arson attacks, according to The New Zealand Herald. In the videos, he  made anti-religious and anti-monarchist statements, the BBC reported. Police are investigating the videos, The Herald reported, and RNZ News said authorities were searching for the occupant of an abandoned vehicle of interest.

Dig deeper: Read my report about an arsonist burning a synagogue in Australia.