Rest home fire 'not work of madman'

Police investigating a suspected arson attack on an Auckland rest home yesterday said they were satisfied they are not looking for a firebug targeting homes for the elderly.

Six residents were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a lounge at the Aranui Rest Home and Hospital in Mt Albert at midnight on Sunday.

Fire safety officers believed arson was a possibility and called in police.

However, Constable Dan Phillips said today it was too early to be definitive about the cause of the fire.

He said a suggestion it was deliberately started by a resident was only one possibility. Another was that it was a pure accident.

"Until we get some further information I wouldn't like to advance any theory. But I don't think there is a madman going around targeting old people's homes," Mr Phillips said.

"I don't think there is cause for concern in the community in that respect. We are keeping an open mind about all the possibilities."

Five residents were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and another for cuts.

- NZPA