The Colwill Road house has been badly damaged. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
A man is facing arson and drug related charges after a house fire in Auckland Thursday morning.
Police said they were carrying out a search warrant when the fire took hold at the two-storey home in Auckland's Massey, and a person was taken to hospital with a dog bite and burns to their hands and feet.
Detective Inspector Albie Alexander, of National Organised Crime Group said it was one of two properties of interest suspected of involvement in manufacturing drugs.
"However, upon police arrival it's believed one of the occupants deliberately set fire to the property."
Four people, aged 39-54, were removed from the properties.
A 54-year-old man has been charged with arson, producing/manufacturing methamphetamine, injuring a police dog and resisting police.
Alexander said a bedside hearing will be held at a later date.
Fire and Emergency said it responded to a request from police to the Colwill Road property in the suburb of Massey shortly after 5am on Thursday.
Fire and Emergency were told of the blaze shortly after 5am. Photo: Supplied
'Completely burnt out': Neighbours watch wall of flames destroy home
Local Dave said the house was engulfed in flames.
"All the windows have smashed out, the roof is all caved in, it's one of those corrugated iron roofs. It's a two storey house, the top floor is completely burnt out, all the down pipes have wilted down to half way, it looks like the house has actually been in a toaster half way."
Dave said he was alerted to the blaze by a neighbour and was confronted with a 'wall of orange'.
"You could hear the choppers, hear the various police cars, Armed Offenders Squad, they were everywhere as well and when I went around the side of the house, I suddenly noticed that there was a real strong smell of burnt popcorn.
"We have random stuff happen around here all the time, and fires are just not very cool, so I was worried."
Dave said his partner had been a bit shaken up, but they had been reassured by police.
FENZ shift manager Ryan Geen said upper level was fully ablaze when crews arrived.
The fire was brought under control and crews were extinguishing hotspots.
The fire was brought under control. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
