Police have launched an investigation after a man was found dead in a house fire in the Whangārei district this morning.
Fire and Emergency NZ north shift manager Paul Radden told 1News multiple calls were received about the fire at Tikipunga around 2.40am.
“[The] brigade arrived to find a car and house, well involved,” he said.
Northland CIB Detective Inspector Al Symonds said a man was found inside the property on Thomas Street around 3.09am.
Speaking at the scene, Symonds told 1News initial enquiries indicated the deceased person passed away, “due to injuries related to the fire”, which was being treated as suspicious.
‘He was alive at that point’
“The deceased person was found and removed from the scene by FENZ. He was alive at that point and despite the best efforts of FENZ and police staff, he passed away at the scene,” he said.
He said police do not yet know how or why the fire started, with FENZ and ESR experts now conducting enquiries.
“At this stage we don’t know how this person has died so, until we get through that work, we can’t determine which way our inquiry will lead.”
“We have our crime scene examination processes to go through today and that will give us a direction.”
He said police have identified the person and there was nothing to indicate the incident was gang-related.
“Out of respect for their whānau, we won’t be releasing those details until they’re happy and we ensure that everyone in the whānau is aware.”
Symonds said it was “early days” in the investigation and it was likely that police would release more details about the deceased man “in the next 24 hours”.
Police said the victim was rescued from the fire but despite the efforts of emergency services, died at the scene.
Symonds said officers were speaking to a number of witnesses who were in the area at the time and the community could expect to see “an increased police presence”.
“A scene guard has been in place this morning while a scene examination was commenced, and this will remain in place today as our enquiries continue.”
He said a post-mortem examination and formal identification of the victim will be carried out over the coming days.
Police encouraged anyone else who was in the area or had information to assist with the investiagtion to get in touch.
“Information is what we’re after. If anyone heard something, saw something or knows something about what happened here, they can get in touch with us.”
Earlier, FENZ said two crews from Kamo and two crews from Whangārei worked to extinguish the blaze, with 16 firefighters present at its peak.
