DNA was storage arsonist’s undoing

DNA evidence pointed to just one man starting a massive blaze at a Wellington storage facility.

Angelo Bitossi, 35, was found guilty of arson on Thursday at the High Court in Wellington.

Justice Simon France found the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Bitossi had started a fire at the Kiwi Self Storage facility in Kilbirnie on April 4.

The storage unit where the fire began belonged to Darren McKinley, with whom Bitossi had a falling out.

The fire sparked a massive blaze which destroyed part of the facility and caused millions of dollars in damage, with hundreds of people losing personal possessions.

A black and purple cap discovered by investigators on a driveway between two units was later shown to contain Bitossi's DNA.

"When one looks at the CCTV footage of the offender coming back after setting the fire, the person appears to be wearing the exact type of hat," said Justice France.

The Crown established that no other DNA was found on the cap besides Bitossi's and he was seen wearing it in the days leading up to the fire.

Bitossi denied owning such a cap, but could not give an explanation as to how it was found near the storage facility's exit.

Justice France said it was not just the cap which proved Bitossi was at the storage unit when the fire broke out.

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DNA was storage arsonist's undoing