Three teenagers have been burned after allegedly setting fire to a car in the West Auckland suburb of Massey.
The police say the trio, aged 14, 16 and 17, fled to Westgate Mall crying to onlookers for help, and saying their house was on fire.
They say the their claim was investigated but it was found the group had probably used gasoline to set fire to a car, and had been burnt in the process.
No arrests have been made.
A spokesperson for Middlemore hospital says the boys are all in a stable condition.
