Police are treating the fire which destroyed the home of Ōamaru artist Matthew Wicks and his family, as suspicious.

Ōamaru Police are investigating the fire, which was on the corner of Stuart and Perth Streets yesterday morning, between 8am and 9:15am, Ōamaru Detective Paul Strange said.

Matthew (also known as Wicksey) lived in the house with his wife Emma and their young daughter Ivy.

Police, along with Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to the fire at around 9:15am on Wednesday. 

The Wicks family were not home at the time and there were no injuries.

Police are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed a suspicious vehicle or people in the area between 7:30am and 9:15am.

If you have information, contact police on 105 or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 using “Update Report”. Please reference file number 231018/8112. Otherwise information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Wicksey’s artwork can be found on Chorus boxes around Ōamaru and Weston, along with other public spaces, and he is currently working with other local artists on a mural along the side of the Taste Cafe.

He also has a gallery/studio in the Art on Thames building he shares with fellow artist and friend Philina Den Dulk, who has set up a Givealittle page for him and his family. As of Thursday afternoon it had gathered more than $12,000 in donations. 

On his public Facebook page, Wicksey thanked the community for their offers of help and for the generosity shown towards his family.

“Holding my wife and daughter knowing we are all safe is all I need right now,” he said.

Philina Den Dulk and Matthew Wicks outside Art on Thames, where they share a space. PHOTO: Ashley Smyth