Bomb squad called to fatal fire

MULTIPLE EXPLOSIONS: The remains of the Mangamuka house where a man died. PICTURE/SUPPLIED

Blasts during AOS callout

A Defence Force bomb squad was called to a Mangataipa Road, Mangamuka property yesterday in the wake of a fatal house fire.

The Whangarei-based Armed Offenders' Squad was reportedly negotiating with a man at the address on Sunday before he was found dead. Police confirmed yesterday that they had found an explosive device, believed to be a hand grenade, when they entered the house.

Inspector Kevin Burke said the Defence Force bomb disposal unit had been called from Auckland to dispose of the grenade and check that the house was safe before police began a scene examination.

Police were called the property, one kilometre off Mangataipa Road and accessible only by four-wheel-drive, on Sunday afternoon, spokeswoman Sarah Kennett saying there had been a dispute at the property over a trespass matter.

A fire inside the house was noticed at about 12.30am yesterday. The AOS attempted to enter the building to rescue the occupant but retreated after a number of explosions. Fire appliances were called from Kohukohu and Kaitaia, police entering the house and finding the man's body after the fire had been extinguished.

Kaitaia's chief fire officer, Colin Kitchen, said a water tanker had reached the house but was unable to do so a second time after being refilled. The house had been fully involved by the time the first crew arrived. Fire investigators and police are working to establish the cause of the blaze.

The man's name will not be released until next of kin have been notified.