Accelerant used to torch Auckland family home

What once was a home is now just charred rubble after a suspected arsonist torched the home during the early hours of Saturday. Photo / Supplied

A family have been left dumbfounded and distraught after their home was torched in a suspected arson.

Simon Paki says fire investigators found remnants of gasoline around the San Pablo Way, Henderson, property after it was eventually extinguished on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the home, fully engulfed in flames, about 2.30am, one of several big blazes keeping firefighters busy over the weekend.

Paki told the Herald his parents, who split their time living between Huntly and Auckland, were phoned with the news shortly after the fire began.

He said his mother drove straight to the scene.

No one was inside the house at the time.

He said the house wasn't being rented out as his parents used it when they had work in Auckland.

Firefighters douse hot spots early Saturday morning. Photo / Supplied

The Paki family home has been reduced to charred rubble after the suspected arson. Photo / Supplied

Paki, who lives in the Waikato, said four of their vehicles had also been stolen in a brazen robbery days prior to the arson.

He believed the two incidents were linked.

"The fire investigator said they found an accelerant, gasoline, all around the house. My theory is whoever stole the cars got spooked and went back to get rid of any evidence."

A neighbour approached the thieves, as they were towing the vehicles away, who responded by saying they were "helping uncle" tidy up the section.

The neighbour didn't think anything more of it, he said.

A neighbour's view of the 2.30am blaze. Photo / Supplied

He found the arson more heartbreaking than his parents, who were just glad that nobody had been hurt.

"My dad said at least nobody died, he's still got mum and at least their health is all good. I think I've taken it a lot harder than them.

"Dad spent the last 22 years of his weekends building that just for it to burn down in one hour."

He was gutted for his dad, who continued to tinker away on the two-storey, four bedroom house, which was one of his "projects".

"It was still a bit of a work in progress. He was always trying to renovate it."

Anyone with information or may have seen any suspicious activity is urged to phone Waitakere police on 09 839 0600.

Meanwhile, South Auckland fire crews were battling to contain a blaze which engulfed two stores in the Otahuhu town centre today.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said five engines were at the fire on Mason Ave.

And in Waipu, Northland, three shops were destroyed by fire delivering a blow to the small town.

The 1.30am blaze, which was not deemed suspicious, completely gutted the town's only pharmacy, a cafe, a herbal medicine store, electric vehicle charger station and an ATM.

Due to an asbestos risk, residents in the area were asked to stay indoors while power was disconnected to 300 residents.