Police are asking the public to help provide information about a fire that has torn through a business in Pāpāmoa.

Barber Shack in Gravatt Road has had to close its doors following a fire that is believed to have been deliberately lit.

Fire and Emergency NZ Shift Manager Kaisey Cook says they received a call to attend the fire at 4.50am on Saturday morning. Police also attended the scene.

'Our crew got there and found the point of fire,” says Kaisey.

'We had three crews attend from Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui and Greerton. At 5.25am we had reports that the fire was extinguished.”

Kaisey says the FENZ fire investigator has also attended.

'There were a couple of premises next to it which were smoke-logged.”

The owners of Barber Shack posted a message to their Facebook page soon after the fire was extinguished.

'Devastated! We've woken up to some heartbreaking news this morning whānau. Our beautiful Barber Shop was broken into early hours of this morning and set on fire. It's completely gone all of our hard work just like that!!! We're lost for words at this time absolutely gutted. This was no accident!!!!”

The post also includes a message that the Barber Shack will be closed until further notice.

'Some real scumbags around. We won't let this break us.”

On February 15, the business owners posted a photo to their page showing their team of 12 barbers, who are now all affected by the closure.

A Pāpāmoa resident and close friend of the owners has started a Givealittle page to help support them.

'We all want to help them get back on their feet,” says Rachel Wikeepa. 'I have created a Givealittle page because my heart breaks for not only their business, but the workers and families who are affected at already hard times.

"Having celebrated one year of opening in January 2022, the Barber Shack has been thriving. Unfortunately, the owners were notified that their shop had been deliberately burnt down in the early hours on Saturday 26th February. Please help this business and their employees who are the victims of a senseless act of vandalism that has destroyed their business and all of their livelihoods."

Police are continuing to investigate.

'If anyone has any information about the fire they can contact police on 10/5,” says a Police spokesperson.

To support the Givealitte cause click here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-your-local-barber-barber-shack-papamoa