Family escapes suspected Molotov cocktail fire

A family were forced to flee their Manawatu home overnight as it was gutted by a fire believed to have been started by a Molotov cocktail.

Fire services were called to the blaze on Waughs Rd in Bunnythorpe, 10km north-east of Palmerston North, about 2am, police central communications Inspector Marty Parker said.

Two adults and three children escaped the fire, but the house was razed to the ground, Mr Parker said.

"The initial report was a Molotov cocktail was used to start the fire," he said.

The house was under guard this morning and police would continue to investigate the incident this morning.

- NZPA