Two men, both 20-year-old roommates from Grey Lynn, were later charged with arson and were scheduled to appear at Waitākere District Court today. If convicted of arson, they could each face up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
The duo was also jointly charged with having a knife in a public place, which carries a maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment, and being in a building without a reasonable excuse, punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, officials said.
Prior to the fire the property was worth about $1.9 million, according to property valuation website OneRoof.