Neighbours evacuate residents as West Auckland house goes up in flames, police investigating

A neighbour of a West Auckland house that caught fire overnight says people banged on doors to wake up sleeping residents and alert them to the danger.

Police are investigating the fire on Vino Cina Heights in Rānui, as there are “suspicious circumstances”.

Nina Ung, whose house is in front of the fire-damaged property, told the Herald residents from across the street warned those in neighbouring houses.

Just before midnight, one of her neighbours banged on her door, which grabbed her daughter’s attention.

“My daughter [said], ‘Mum, we need to get out of the house, there’s a fire’.

“It was right by my son’s bedroom window. Had it been any later, I don’t know if anyone would have looked outside the windows, so we may have all been asleep, so it could have spread really fast.”

Police are investigating a house fire in Rānui. Photo / Supplied

Ung described the situation as “really scary”.

“I just grabbed my kids and left.”

Multiple nearby residents told the Herald they heard loud bangs and saw two characters at the top of the street before the roof went up in flames.

Damage to a roof of a house on Vino Cina Heights, Rānui, after a suspicious fire overnight. Photo / Cameron Pitney

Ung praised the street’s strong community for being able to alert, evacuate and comfort everyone, including the residents of the burned house.

A little boy who lives in the house was devastated because his cat was still inside the home when he was outside, Ung said.

“You just feel for the family behind us. It’s just terrible. Wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through a fire.

“Luckily it was contained, so hopefully they haven’t had too much damage to their property.”

She said a multi-generational family lived at the fire-damaged property.

Fire and Emergency crews, who arrived quickly, gave Ung the all clear to go back inside around 1am, she said.

Waitematā CIB Detective Inspector Megan Goldie said a guard was put in place to allow a scene examination to be carried out today.

“Based on initial inquiries in the area, there are suspicious circumstances that require further investigation.”

No one was injured.

Police will be working with fire investigators, Goldie said.

Another neighbour said they heard a loud bang just before midnight and initially thought it was someone letting off fireworks before they saw a “bright red light in the sky”.

The neighbour heard the footsteps of someone running down the street, they told the Herald.

“Just a few minutes after the flare, I noticed a reflection of what seemed like flames. I looked out the window to find the roof of one of the houses up in flames.”

Anyone with further information to assist should contact the police 105 number, Goldie said.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.