Woman charged with attemped murder after arson

A Dunedin woman has been charged with attempted murder after a house was set on fire in the city early today.

Detective Sergeant Neil Lowden said a man, 68, and a woman, 38, managed to escape unharmed from the blazing property in Melbourne St, in south Dunedin.

The house was extensively damaged by the fire.

Mr Lowden said a 38-year-old woman beneficiary, had been charged with attempted murder and would be appear in Dunedin District Court this morning.

Further charges were likely, Mr Lowden said.

A scene examination would be carried out this morning.

- NZPA