|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A house fire in East Auckland’s Bucklands Beach last week which claimed two lives is being treated as a double homicide.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua, Counties Manukau Police’s crime manager, today provided an update on the ongoing investigation to news media.
Emergency services attended the home just after 2.30am on October 2 and found it “engulfed in flames”.
Three people were able to escape, however two did not and were found deceased inside the home.
Out of the five people, one is a boarder who lived downstairs at the property and managed to escape. A mother and her child are the other two survivors.
Va’aelua said the mother was able to escape out of the door’s entrance to the property but her child had to “force his way out of the house” as it was engulfed in flames. They were both hospitalised but have now been discharged.
The boarder suffered no injuries.
One of the victims has been confirmed as a 36-year-old father of two.
Va’aelua said the second victim has not been formally identified but “is believed to be the family’s 11-year-old son.
He said an accelerant was found at the scene but forensic analysis has not yet been completed around the substance.
“The scene examination of the home was completed on Sunday but due to ongoing forensic analysis and the potential for re-visits to the address, the scene remains under police guard,” Va’aelua said.
“We really need the public’s help”
Police are now canvassing CCTV footage to find a person or persons of interest.
“We are appealing to the public, specifically those who live on or around Murvale Drive for any footage you have of the road, the street and surrounding properties in the days and hours leading up to the fire,” Va’aelua said.
“We want to hear from anyone who has any information at all that they think may help. Nothing is too small or irrelevant.”
He acknowledged the family whose life he said had been “completely shattered”.
“This is an extremely traumatic time for them. Police are doing their best to provide them with the support and the assistance of other agencies.
“We are determined to provide them with answers and bring this to a close so they can move on with their lives. It is imperative that we find the person or persons responsible for this.”
He encouraged anyone with information to go to the Crimestoppers or 105 website or call 105 to make a report.
