A man has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder after a house fire killed a father and son in east Auckland earlier this month.
The blaze – under investigation as a double homicide – broke out at a two-storey home on Murvale Dr in Bucklands Beach around 2.30am on October 2.
Five people were inside the house at the time. Three survived, including the mother and another child, who were admitted to hospital but have been since discharged. A boarder living downstairs also escaped unharmed.
The victims were 36-year-old Jung Sup Lee and his 11-year-old son Ha-il Lee.
Emergency services were called to the Bucklands Beach property at around 2.30am. (Source: 1News)
Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said information from the public and in response to police CCTV appeals aided in the arrest.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the assistance provided by those members of the public whose information was vital to this investigation,” he said.
“At this stage our enquiries remain ongoing and further charges cannot be ruled out.”
Va’aelua said police remained in contact with the family of those killed to ensure support was in place.
Police yesterday issued a fresh appeal for information about a “distinctive” container believed to have held the accelerant that fed the fatal fire.
Investigators had also sought CCTV, dash cam, or GoPro footage from residents in Bucklands Beach, Howick, Sunnyhills, Mellons Bay, Botany Downs, and Highland Park between 10pm on Wednesday, October 1 and 5am on Thursday, October 2.
Va’aelua added that police would continue investigations to determine whether anyone else was involved or had knowledge about the incident.
“I’d also like to thank our team of detectives, who have worked tirelessly throughout this investigation to bring this case to a close.”
A 38-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court today.
