Firefighters called in a hazardous materials appliance to a burning house in Auckland overnight, fearing chemicals from an illegal drug laboratory may have been feeding the fire.
The large old house in Omana Ave, Epsom, was burning fiercely by the time the first fire appliance arrived at 2.47am and was allbut destroyed in the fire.
Auckland City chief fire officer Brian Edwards said the hazardous materials fire appliance was brought in as a precaution.
He said the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.
Seven appliances, including an aerial ladder, fought the fire.
"It is a really old house with a huge roof void."
Police said the house would be inspected today to establish a cause and to see if it was being used as a home bake laboratory.
