An early-morning fire was not the present staff at The Blue Door secondhand store were expecting as they celebrated its 12th birthday at the weekend.
The Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a call about 5.50am on Saturday after a man walking to work noticed items left outside the store were alight.
Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Rob Dalton said it appeared the items had been set alight and the fire was being treated as suspicious.
Senior station officer Ross Bailey said the items, including a mattress, bed and carpet, had been left outside the store in Charles St after hours.
Only minor damage was done to the window, and there was some smoke damage to the exterior, because the flaming mattress was pulled away from the building by the man who reported the fire.
Blue Door manager Sandra Kirk said the items were probably worth about $150.
Mrs Kirk said items were often dumped outside the store during weekends and she was surprised that it had not happened before.
"We've seen parties around here and even people sleeping here, but never a fire."
Mrs Kirk said The Blue Door would celebrate its birthday regardless of the fire.
"You don't let little things like this get the better of you."
Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan, of the Blenheim police, said inquires were continuing.
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