Family lucky to escape blaze

Police photograph the scene of the suspicious fire in a Whangarei home. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A Northland family woken by a smoke alarm were able to escape from their house after a suspicious fire was lit in the basement by someone who may have slipped in through an open door.

Police and fire inspectors called to investigate the blaze said it was fortunate a smoke alarm upstairs had given the family enough warning or else the fire could have been fatal and damage much worse.

Firefighters were called to the two-storey home in Smeaton Dr, Whangarei, about 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Whangarei police Detective Sergeant John Clayton said the smoke alarm was activated, waking one of the family members who thought it was unusual but reset it. A short time later it sounded again and this time smoke was smelt and the fire discovered downstairs.

Mr Clayton said one person tried to douse the flames with buckets of water but was unsuccessful and the five occupants fled and raised the alarm.

The fire is thought to have started in a bag of clothes and shoes which were sitting on top of a disused washing machine near the garage area.

He said it appeared someone had entered the house through an open door on the ground level and started the fire.

The fire burnt a wall and had started to scorch the ceiling.

"If they didn't have a smoke alarm the outcome could have been very different," Mr Clayton said.

Fire investigator Terry Baylis reiterated the need for functioning smoke alarms.

"Had there not been smoke alarms that fire could have quite easily broken through the floor and the whole house would have gone. If the place had filled up with smoke it could have been fatal," he said.

It was a reminder to have an escape plan in place.

"If you have to get out at 2am and the room is filled with smoke it's vital you know where you are going."

There was no evidence the fire had started from an electrical fault.

Police appealed to residents in the area to report any suspicious activity they may have noticed or other fires that may have been lit. Contact Mr Clayton at Whangarei station on 09 430 4500 or anonymously on 0800 Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.