One local, who was out walking his dog, told the Herald he heard several loud bangs.
He walked around the corner and saw a near-new BMW on fire in a driveway next to a house.
Flames leapt from the car to the side of the house, badly scorching the home despite fire crews being on the scene within minutes. Several police cars also arrived, and the street was closed to non-residents.
Talking to the Herald, the owner of the home, Naveed Tariq, said Tariq his kids are now living in alternative accommodation.
The solo father and ICT professional - who worked in various countries around the globe for a US-based multinational before immigrating to New Zealand four years ago - said insurance would cover the cost of his BMW M series sports car, which was "near brand new" and, he hoped, damage to his home.
Photo / Chris Keall
"The house is not in liveable condition. It will take seven to eight months to fix, it seems. Insurance has still not evaluated the damage and it's an extremely uncertain situation right now for us," he said.
Photo / Chris Keall
"My kids are extremely traumatised."
Police said they had no further comment while the case was before the courts.
In one of her last appearances at Parliament, Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp tells minister Tama Potaka his changes to Whānau Ora "don't make sense." Video / Parliament TV
