Bomb squad called to house fire

A blaze gutted a Far North home where police found the body of a man they had tried to negotiate out of the building for about four hours. Photo / Supplied

A specialist police squad negotiated with a man in a rural Far North home for about four hours before he was found dead in a house fire.

The Armed Offenders Squad was called to the Mangamuka property, off Maungataipa Rd south of Kaitaia, at 2.30pm on Sunday following reports of a gun being fired.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said there was a dispute at the property over a trespass matter.

About 12.30am yesterday a fire was noticed inside the house. AOS members attempted to get inside the house to rescue the occupant but they had to pull back due to a number of explosions.

Mrs Kennett said it was unclear what had caused the explosions until a thorough examination of the scene could be completed.

However, police confirmed they had found an explosive device, believed to be a grenade, when they were able to make a brief search of the house.

Northland police Inspector Kevin Burke said the Defence Force bomb disposal unit from Auckland arrived at the scene about midday yesterday to dispose of the grenade and check the house was safe before police could carry out a scene examination.

The bomb squad was expected to continue its search through the ashes today before police could begin their phase of the investigation.

The Fire Service was called and once the fire had been extinguished police were able to enter the house and found a man's body. Mrs Kennett said the man's name or age would not be released until next of kin had been notified.

Fire safety investigators were working with police to establish the cause of the fire.

The Fire Service was called in by police about 12.30am yesterday, Muriwhenua area commander Allan Kerrisk said.

"When we got there the house and adjoining garage were fully involved. About 4.45am, when we were dampening down, we found what we think are human remains."

Kaitaia firefighter and Northland Fire Service volunteer support officer Colin Kitchen said a crew from Kohukohu was first on the scene, followed by a truck and tanker from Kaitaia.

Access to the burning building was a problem as the house was about 1km up a muddy track only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles. The track had been made nearly impassable by heavy rain and the number of vehicles using it earlier in the night.

Mr Kitchen said firefighters had to carry much of the gear in.