Police are investigating suspicious fires in Albert Town on Saturday night (September 20) after a cell phone tower on Alison Ave and two data boxes were found ablaze.

A Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) spokesperson told the Wānaka App that FENZ was notified of the fire at 11.25pm on Saturday.

Two units from Wānaka were called to extinguish the fire, which FENZ considered “suspicious”.

A police spokesperson said a cell phone tower was found on fire, along with two data boxes a short distance away.

“A scene examination has been carried out and enquiries are continuing,” the spokesperson said.

One local commented on social media that the flames were “massive”; while another said: “Best thing for it.”

“While we currently have other towers across the network providing service to Albert Town, this type of wilful damage can impact the whole community,” Fortysouth chief technology officer Jo Stansfield told the Wānaka App.

“Mobile connectivity provides access to emergency services and keeps our communities connected with each other including people working from home, tradies, couriers and families wanting to stay in contact. 

“Our priority is to get the site up and running as quickly as possible.”

The 12 metre high cell tower was installed by Fortysouth in February 2024 to the disapproval of some locals, who were unhappy about the lack of consultation on its prominent location. 

Some locals also raised concern about EMF (electromagnetic field) from the cell tower.

Damage to the cell site is significant and the cell site is down, with coverage being provided from other cell sites on the network, a Fortysouth spokesperson told the Wānaka App this evening (Sunday September 21).

Contractors will be on the site tomorrow (Monday September 22), she said.

PHOTO: Supplied