A woman is in custody after an incident at the Manawatu District Council building in Feilding earlier today.
Police were called shortly after 8.30am after an agitated woman armed with a can of petrol and a lighter began pouring it onto the council reception counter and onto a staff member, before pouring more petrol throughout other parts of the building.
Police arrived within minutes, arresting the woman shortly after, and the building was evacuated. The woman has been taken into custody and is likely to appear in court later today on a variety of charges.
Detective Felicity Cato of Feilding Police said thankfully no-one had been injured in the incident, and the staff member soaked with petrol had been left shaken but was otherwise unharmed. Staff were now receiving appropriate support.
"As a result, the council building remains closed today while the Fire Service ventilates and decontaminates the building. It is unlikely that the building will reopen until tomorrow, so we ask that people please be patient and remain clear of the area so the Fire Service and Police staff can do their jobs.
"Once the building has been decontaminated and is safe to enter, it will reopen."
Detective Cato said part of the road next to the council building at the corner of Grey and Manchester Streets remained closed off.
"We also ask people that any non-urgent calls to the council's call centre please be delayed, as they are currently dealing with a large volume of calls. Urgent calls will however still be taken, though there may be some delays in service."
ENDS
Media contact: Ross Henderson, PNHQ Public Affairs, ph 04 470 7316, or 021 192 2919.