On Sunday afternoon, 14/6/2026, the team at The Salvation Army Family Store on Queen Street, were alerted to a fire that had been intentionally lit at the back of the store.

Thankfully the store was closed, and no one was hurt. The store does have extensive damage to the back sorting area and smoke damage is throughout the shop, meaning a loss of donations.  

Family Store Managers, Che & Jenny, along with the other staff and volunteers want to express a massive thank you to the fire fighters and police that responded and are continuing to investigate, along with the people from the community who turned up to help and offer support.  

Donations are still being received, but the store will be closed for a few days for shopping (maybe the rest of the week), as this all gets sorted.

Also, this week is national volunteer week, (13th – 21st June) a chance for us to celebrate our volunteers and thank them. So, if you are in town and close to the store, popping in and passing on your concern, well wishes and prayers, would be a massive morale boost for the team.

A “thank you” to Shane Healey for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

16/06/26