Four Masterton churches have been damaged in suspicious blazes, overnight, while three others also appear to have been targeted.

One church has praised the efforts of a local police officer who happened to be driving past, saw the building was “red hot”, and managed to dampen the flames with an outside hose until firefighters arrived.

The damage to some of the churches has been described as “significant”, with police now investigating and standing guard at the buildings.

Up to 12 Fire and Emergency NZ trucks earlier rushed to fight the fires, which all started between 4.25am and 4.35am, a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said.

The churches are: Anglican Church Of The Epiphany, St Patrick’s Catholic Church Masterton, Masterton Baptist Church and Equippers Church Masterton.

Denise Holden, of the Catholic Parish of Wairarapa, said they were unsure of the extent of the damage at St Patrick’s Catholic Church because they were not allowed inside while investigations were under way.

The fires are being treated as suspicious. Photo / Wellington Fire and Emergency

Visible exterior damage included a broken window, she said.

“But we are very blessed and thankful to the policeman who was driving past and saw our church was red hot so, he got the hose that we have on the outside through into the foyer area and managed to dampen it down by the time the fire brigade got here.”

Equippers Church pastor Matt Cornford said there were also broken windows at his church.

“I am guessing something’s been thrown through the window but as to how or what, I wouldn’t know.”

Cornford said it was a sad situation.

“In some ways as a church, there’s some anticipated backlash or ill feeling and I know that not everyone is going to like what we do and that’s okay, but certainly acts of violence rather than conversation don’t really help anything.”

School holiday programmes were run from the church buildings, as well as conferences. There is also a climbing wall and gym spaces.

“The facility does enable us to serve the community in different ways, so it’s a shame that someone would want to or feel the need to disrupt that”, Cornford said.

Cornford was still hoping to hold a service tomorrow as usual because he understood the damage was mainly limited to two breakout rooms.

Anglican Church of The Epiphany was one of seven churches targeted in arson attacks overnight in Masterton, including four that caught alight. Photo / Google Maps

Schools and other churches have offered the use of their facilities if needed, he said.

“One thing that’s heartening to see in the middle of these types of moments is the way the community rallies together both within the faith community and the wider community as well.”

Damage to the Masterton churches ranged from moderate to significant, Fire and Emergency said.

It could also have been worse given other churches were also targets, police said.

“Police have undertaken checks at other churches in the town this morning and have located evidence to suggest three further churches were targeted but did not catch alight,” police said.

Police remain at the fire scenes this morning, alongside Fire and Emergency teams.

“Officers will also be conducting reassurance patrols, including in nearby towns Featherston and Carterton,” police said.

They asked for anyone with information that could assist them to please contact Police via 105.

Masterton's Epiphany Church was targeted in a suspicious fire. Photo / NZME

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fire and Emergency said it sent fire crews from across the Wairarapa region and from as far away as Avalon Station to battle the blazes.