Whangārei police probe suspicious Raumanga house fire after couch deliberately lit

Police are investigating after a couch was deliberately set alight early on Wednesday morning, waking the home's occupants. Photo / Brodie Stone

A Raumanga tenant woke to the sound of glass smashing when his home caught fire early this morning.

Police are investigating the blaze in the Whangārei suburb after a couch was deliberately set alight.

The man, who did not want to be named, said he was asleep and only woke because of the commotion outside his bedroom window.

Just metres from his room on the other side of the wall, the couch in the corner of the front porch had been set on fire.

The man jumped out of bed after realising what was going on, notified his two flatmates and went outside to find the hose, hoping his efforts would help.

He believed he woke less than five minutes after the couch was set on fire, but the damage had already been done.

Members of the public had also turned up to help, one person pulling another couch from off the porch and onto the wet grass.

The man didn’t know whether those responsible had intended to burn the house down, but said it was clear it was “malicious”.

The couch that was set alight sat on the front porch. Now just the frame remains. Photo / Brodie Stone

The man also felt there weren’t enough positive things to do in the area to keep people occupied and out of trouble.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said it was fortunate no one lost their life.

“All five occupants were asleep at the time and were able to evacuate safely,” he said.

Police and fire investigators are investigating the blaze, which caused extensive damage.

The corner where the couch once sat is now blackened, and a window of the french doors is smashed after it was likely blown out due to heat from the fire. Photo / Brodie Stone

The corrugated iron roof appeared to be misshapen and burned from where the flames had licked their way up into the roof cavity.

Just the frame of the couch which was set alight remained, and other items such as a side table were also blackened.

Hato Hone St John were notified about 6.55am, assessing and treating three patients in a minor condition at the scene.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said two fire trucks from Whangārei Fire Station responded after receiving multiple calls about 6.20am.

Crews left just after 10am.

Pilmer said police wanted to hear from anyone who might have information to share.

Anyone in the Raumanga Valley Rd area who has CCTV or was driving between 5.30am and 6.20am with dash cam footage should get in touch.

“We will be working to establish a full picture of why this incident has occurred, and I’m asking anyone who might have seen suspicious activity before or after the fire to contact us.”

Information can be supplied to police online or by calling 105, quoting file number 250924/3224.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.