Two people have died and two others have been injured following a house fire in east Auckland in the early hours of this morning.
An investigation is now underway after emergency services were called to the Murvale Dr property in the suburb of Bucklands Beach at around 2.30am.
“On arrival, they found a house well involved in fire,” a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said a scene examination began earlier today.
“Our investigation is still at the very early stages and police need to work methodically through the next steps.”
Police would remain at the property in the coming days, with the priority on “carefully extracting the two deceased from the scene”, he said, adding a post-mortem examination would need to be carried out.
Two others were injured following the blaze in Bucklands Beach. (Source: 1News)
Va’aelua said the investigation would now work to establish how the fire occurred.
“We appreciate the community will have questions about how this has occurred, and this will now be the focus for investigators.”
Anyone with relevant information was injured to contact police on 105.
A St John spokesperson said two people were taken to Middlemore Hospital, one in a serious condition and one in a moderate condition.
A third person with minor injuries was treated at the scene but did not require transportation.
Two people found dead after Auckland home engulfed by flames – Watch on TVNZ+
Five fire trucks, one command unit, and one support unit were at the scene fighting the blaze.
Footage captured by 1News at the scene showed the two-storey building completely engulfed in flames.
‘Huge, bright orange flames’ – witness
Resident Cathy Harwood, who lived up on the hill overlooking the home, told 1News she was woken up by “strange noises” around 2.30am.
“I opened up my curtains and was confronted with huge bright orange flames and smoke. It was massive.”
She said she had seen house fires before but had never seen a blaze like it.
“It was intense, there were lots of popping noises from the fire.”
