Woman arrested over homes razed by blaze
A woman has been arrested and charged over a deliberately lit fire that ravaged two Tokoroa homes.
The 39-year-old would appear in Rotorua District Court today charged with arson in relation to the blaze early yesterday morning.
Police were the first to be called to a property in Dalmeny St at 4.20am.
A blaze subsquently broke out in the house at 4.22am.
With a bit of wind blowing through the suburb, the place took off and the fire quickly jumped to the neighbour’s home, Tokoroa Fire Chief Dave Morris said.
By the time fire crews reached the first home the occupants were outside. The house was engulfed in flames.
‘‘The wind whipped around it and by the time we got there it was ablaze. It caught fire to the neighbouring house, which was also destroyed.’’
Tokoroa called for backup firefighters from Putaruru and together 20 firefighters battled the blazes.
It took about 40 minutes to bring the flames under control, he said.
Three adults living in the neighbour’s home were alerted by a commotion next door and got out of the property before fire took hold of the house.
They were able to retrieve a number of belongings before the house was gutted, Morris said.
‘‘They saw the fire and the police went and spoke to them and said get out what you can, as it’s not looking good.
‘‘Because of the wind the fire got in through the eaves and the windows and took hold of the house completely gutted the house.’’
Both properties were destroyed, he said.
An occupant’s dog also took off during the fire but was retrieved by firefighters and returned to the owners. No-one was injured.
Police were called to the property as well and were speaking with the occupants of the first address. ‘‘While inquiries are ongoing no-one else is being sought in relation to the matter,’’ a police spokesperson said following the arrest.
A fire investigator was looking into the cause of the blaze.