Police say fatal fire may be homicide

Police have upgraded investigations into a fatal fire to a homicide inquiry.

One woman was killed after fire swept though a commercial building in Henderson at lunchtime today. Auckland fire fighters have confirmed that one person died and two others were rushed to Auckland Hospital after the fire at 12.15pm.

Police and fire safety officers are now investigating the blaze which extensively damaged a building, believed to be a dentist's office, on Great North Road near Railside Ave, Henderson.

Midday traffic was seriously disrupted as fire appliances from arund Auckland rushed to the fatal fire.

It is understood that neither of the two in Auckland Hospital are seriously hurt. One is believed to have superficial burns.

- NZHERALD STAFF