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Police are investigating a suspicious fire at a property in Massey, West Auckland, which erupted as officers arrived to carry out search warrants early this morning.
Detective Inspector Albie Alexander, of the National Organised Crime Group, said officers were executing warrants at two Colwill Road addresses around 5.30am when one of the properties caught fire.
“It’s believed one of the occupants deliberately set fire to the property,” he said.
The houses were under investigation for suspected drug manufacturing. Specialist teams including the Armed Offenders Squad, clan lab investigators, and Fire and Emergency crews attended the scene.
“Careful planning is undertaken before an operation of this nature,” Alexander said.
“Safety is at the forefront of our planning, and today all the planning paid off.”
Four people aged between 39 and 54 were removed from the properties. One person was taken to hospital with burns and a dog bite.
A 54-year-old man has been charged with arson, manufacturing methamphetamine, injuring a police dog, and resisting police. A bedside court hearing will be held at a later date.
Police say the dog is expected to make a full recovery.
