Arson charge as man flees blaze

Two women and two children under the age of 6 were inside a West Auckland home when a man allegedly set it alight, police said. The four escaped the blaze uninjured, but the house on Kingrig Place in Ranui was gutted and will be bulldozed.

Police say the man ran away from the fire, but was caught nearby and arrested.

Firefighters battled to contain the blaze from 4.30pm on Saturday until about midnight. A scene examination was completed yesterday morning.

A 26-year-old Henderson beneficiary will appear in the Waitakere District Court today charged with arson.