The people who suffered burns in the fatal Bucklands Beach blaze are recovering from their injuries as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
The two people killed in the fire were removed from the property last night.
The two occupants who were hospitalised after the fire are still recovering from their burns; one has been discharged, and the other remains in hospital in a stable condition.
Police and fire investigators continue to search the scene of a fatal East Auckland blaze, as they work to establish the cause.
Two people died in the fire on Murvale Drive, Bucklands Beach, when it engulfed the home early yesterday morning.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said the two deceased were removed from the property.
“Post-mortem examinations are underway today, and we expect formal identification procedures to get underway in due course.”
Police cordons, which yesterday blocked the entire road, were today restricted to the damaged property.
Emergency services have covered a badly charred upstairs room with a blue tarpaulin, leaving only one upstairs room visible from the street.
Fire damage and soot are still visible around the tarpaulin, with windows shattered and debris strewn across the ground.
Two melted wheelie bins are visible in the garage. A team of police and fire investigators stood on the front berm under a blue tent when the Herald visited. Police tape surrounded the property.
There were five people in the house at the time of the blaze, and police moved down the street investigating the cause of the fire for most of the day.
Yesterday, Va’aelua said investigators would remain at the property over the coming days.
“Police will be speaking with nearby residents as part of inquiries, but we ask anyone with information to contact us.”
A large investigation team was visible on the cordoned street, some in boiler suits, searching the fire-damaged home throughout the day.
A man who filmed the fire said neighbours gathered outside, calling to others to evacuate.
He said mini “explosions”, cracking and popping noises rang out across the street after the fire broke out.
The video, filmed by a neighbour whose son saw the fire before emergency services arrived, showed plumes of thick smoke billowing from the home, with large flames shooting out of the property.
He said the fire quickly engulfed the home. By the time firefighters arrived, the property was burning fiercely.
“[The flames] would have been 5m, maybe, in the air, from the top of the house.”
He said the top storey of the house was well alight, and it was lucky there was little wind, given the risk of large trees burning on either side of the property.
The neighbour said the fire was a wake-up call, and his thoughts were with the people who lived in the home.
“I feel sorry for them. I mean, I don’t know them, but obviously it’s pretty devastating.”
Neighbour Kathy saw bright orange flames rising “really high”, saying they raged for at least 20 minutes.
“I’ve never seen a fire like it. It was intense, it was scary. I won’t tell you what my first words were.”
A homeowner awoke to the sound of sirens.
“I think everybody woke up.
“It sounded like they broke the door down or something like that because of the fire,” he said, describing hearing banging noises.
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