A fire which broke out at a Whangārei property early yesterday morning while five people slept inside is being treated as arson.
Police were called to the address on Raumanga Valley Rd around 6.20am on Wednesday.
It appeared a couch on the front deck had been deliberately set alight, Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said.
Five people were asleep at the time of the fire and managed to evacuate safely.
“It’s fortunate that no one has lost their life, and a homicide investigation is not being commenced.”
The property sustained “extensive damage” in the blaze, which is now being treated as an arson, Pilmer said today.
This morning, officers returning to the scene found two holes in one of the windows “which were not there when the fire occurred”.
“We believe these have been caused by a slug gun and at this stage we are unable to say if the two incidents are connected.”
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity before or after the blaze or has CCTV or dash cam footage between 5.30am on Wednesday and 6am Thursday, has been asked to contact police.
“We are working to establish a full picture of what exactly has occurred and why,” Pilmer said.
