As a hunt continues for a possible arsonist in Piha, money is being raised to help the owners of the West Auckland settlement's gutted fish and chip store.

A number of scrub fires broke out at the settlement on Auckland's west coast on Saturday night and Sunday morning, leading to about 90 firefighters being called out.

One house was evacuated and 20 others came under threat from fire.

Along with one house being evacuated and 20 others threatened, popular fish and chip store Adey's Place was also gutted.

A Givealittle page has been established, saying "funds raised will be used to help cover any immediate costs of the damages and to provide financial support to the owners and staff of the establishment".

Adey's Place owner Adrian Doggett said he and wife Vicki were heartbroken.

"An innocent little fish and chip shop, victims of sickos," he told the New Zealand Herald.

"We live in a small, beautiful part of the world and these things are quite unusual to say the least but, my God, it affects you when it does.

"We're philosophical. We'll be back."

On Tuesday afternoon police were working with fire investigators and conducting scene examinations.

They are following strong lines of inquiry and say police will be maintaining "a strong presence" at Piha on Tuesday and into Wednesday, supported by community patrols.

"The Piha community is a tight knit community and police have received an overwhelming response from the public coming forward with information," Inspector Scott Webb said.

Residents say they've been left angry and on edge as they and fire crews brace for the possibility of further blazes in the area.

"From the community there is anger, fear and uncertainty until whoever is responsible is found," resident Susannah Fougere-Hardy told Radio NZ.

"It feels like we've been attacked".