Molotov cocktail thrown at Hamilton house

File photo / NZH

A molotov cocktail was thrown at a Hamilton house overnight, causing significant damage to the external cladding and setting the master bedroom's ensuite bathroom on fire.

A flaming glass beer bottle containing some kind of accelerant was thrown at the house and smashed, near the open bathroom window about 1.30am, Waikato fire safety officer Kevin Holmes told NZPA.

The fire scorched the outside of the suburban Dinsdale home, and caused extensive damage to the bathroom.

A couple sleeping in the next room were uninjured.

Police and the Fire Service were investigating but had no idea yet who had done it, Mr Holmes said.

He said this kind of thing was not common but did happen from time to time.

- NZPA