Police have revealed that the double-fatal house fire in the Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach was “deliberately lit” and is being treated as a homicide investigation.
The early morning fire last Thursday claimed the lives of an 11-year-old boy and a 36-year-old father-of-two.
Investigators say the blaze was started with an accelerant inside the home on Murvale Drive at 2.30am while the occupants were asleep.
Police are now searching security footage to track the movements of individuals around the property.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said they were “casting the net” far and wide to track down those responsible.
At this stage, there are no persons of interest.
He said one of the survivors of the blaze was the mother who escaped through the home’s main door. Her surviving son had to force his way out.
A fifth person, who was a boarder at the house, did not suffer any injuries.
Va’aelua told the media this afternoon an accelerant used in the fire was a substance that was foreign to the property.
It was subject to further forensic analysis, which would dictate where the police investigation went next.
Va’aelua said it was too early to say whether the person or people responsible were known to the family.
He said police had not been able to formally identify the second victim, but they believed he was the family’s 11-year-old son.
“It is imperative we find the person or persons responsible for this.”
The victims’ names have not been formally released.
Two floral tributes were lying against the front fence of the charred property this afternoon. One policeman was guarding the scene. Police tape surrounded the home.
A “delightful” 11-year-old Bucklands Beach Intermediate student died on Thursday, leaving his classmates “numb”.
Deputy principal Will Roper called the boy a credit to his family.
The boy’s older brother, who is understood to have survived the fire, was a former pupil at the school, Roper told Stuff.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with their family, friends and all those affected at this very difficult time.”
A fundraiser has been launched for the grieving wife and son who survived the fire.
A post on the Givealittle page, which was set up by a friend of the family’s, said the mum is facing the “unimaginable” and is now left to navigate living expenses.
“This page has been set up to support her with urgent financial relief so she can focus on grieving, healing, and finding a way forward without the heavy burden of financial stress.”
The funds would go towards “funeral expenses, household and living costs, grief support, and providing a foundation for the family to navigate this challenging time”.
The property was severely damaged; windows were shattered and debris strewn about the blackened house.
Crews in boiler suits searched the home within the cordon that remained in place for several days. Emergency services covered a badly charred upstairs room with a blue tarpaulin, leaving one upstairs room visible.
Neighbours recounted waking to the roar of fire and “mini explosions” as the blaze quickly gripped the home.
Thick plumes of smoke and large orange flames could be seen as firefighters battled the fire for several hours.
The man who filmed the property engulfed by fire said neighbours gathered outside, calling to others to evacuate.
“[The flames] would have been 5m, maybe, in the air, from the top of the house.”
Neighbour Kathy saw bright orange flames rising “really high”.
“I’ve never seen a fire like it. It was intense, it was scary. I won’t tell you what my first words were.”
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