A plaque that forms part of the memorial to the fire victims. Photo: Christchurch City Libraries / Donna Robertson
Police are appealing for information from the public to track down 23 bronze plaques memorialising the victims of the deadliest fire in New Zealand's history.
The plaques, stolen from the Ruru Lawn Cemetery in Bromley, honour 23 of the 41 victims of the 1947 blaze at the Ballantynes department store in Christchurch.
The scene at the time of the fire. Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library
The Christchurch City Council said it was concerned about the disappearance of the historic plaques, and will work on replacing them.
It said it became aware of the thefts and alerted police on Tuesday, but it was not known when the damage occurred.
A police spokesperson said the community would be disturbed by the theft.
Police would like to hear from anyone with information that could help identify those responsible.
The theft is the latest in a string of attacks on historic monuments.
Last year, a brass bell was stolen - and later returned - from Addington Te Kura Taumatua and pou whenua carving Ōrongomai was taken from its lookout in the Port Hills.
Both items are believed to have been cut off with grinders and would have taken multiple people to carry away.
A sculpture of beloved terrier Skippy was stolen from outside the Lyttelton Timeball in August.
Police believe a spate of power line tampering incidents, which caused power cuts to multiple homes were due to thieves targeting copper.
