Arson charge after Manawatu fire

File photo / John Cowpland

A woman has been charged with torching a Manawatu house from which a family of five was forced to flee for their lives.

Phoebe O'Donaghue, 28, appeared in Nelson District Court today accused of arson and attempting to pervert the course of justice. She was remanded in custody to reappear again next week.

Police alleged that O'Donaghue set fire to the house at Bunnythorpe, 10km northeast of Palmerston North about 2am on April 12 while a couple and three girls slept.

The adults, in their forties, were awakened by the sound of breaking glass, woke the girls and all managed to get out unhurt. The house was destroyed.

- NZPA