"Investigators are focusing on one of the bedrooms in the unit where a cigarette lighter has been located," Mr Beer said.
"Whilst it is not clear at this stage how the fire has started, it is important for parents to keep matches and lighters out of reach of young children.
"Of the eight units, only three smoke alarms were located, only one of which was working
"It is not clear at this stage if there were working smoke alarms in the unit which was destroyed by fire."
Mr Beer said it serves as a timely reminder for people to ensure they have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes, and with daylight savings approaching this weekend smoke alarms should be cleaned and tested.
Warped roofing iron can be seen on the roof of the unit destroyed by the fire.
John Taom lives next door to the unit destroyed by fire last night.
He said four people lived in the unit - the man who died, his wife, daughter and grandson aged about 12.
Firefighters and paramedics tried to save the man - performing CPR on the victim outside the burning flat - but he died at the scene.
A young boy and a man in his 20s were both taken to Waitakere Hospital in a moderate condition.
"He was a good man, a very nice man," Mr Taom said.
He said the flames in the fire were massive and everyone in the block of units rushed out onto the driveway.
He was back at the property today to check whether his family could go back home, but police had told him to wait until the investigation was complete.
Neighbours said last night that the man who died had been trying to get back into the house to get a number of children out.
"He was trying to get to his moko," a woman who did not want to be named told the Herald.
It is not known at this stage whether his death was a direct result of the fire or whether another factor such as a fall or medical condition has caused it.
