Horror House fire 'turning point' says mayor

Flames engulf the Christchurch house where two bodies were found earlier this month. Photo / Supplied

A fire that gutted the Christchurch "House of Horrors" is a "turning point" for the community, Mayor Bob Parker says.

The bodies of Tisha Lowry, 28, and Rebecca Sarah Somerville, 35, were found underneath the semi-detached house in suburban Wainoni earlier this month.

Mrs Somerville's husband, Jason Somerville, 33, who lived with his wife at the property, has been charged with murdering both women.

Ms Lowry lived a couple of doors along from the property when she went missing a year ago.

The blaze, which gutted the property late Saturday, was being treated as suspicious.

Mr Parker said a "memorial to murder most foul has been erased".

"I think, if we're honest, right across the community there was a sense it would happen," he told The Press.

He was working with the Aranui Community Trust to decide what to do with the property.

Detective Sergeant Craig Farrant said the house had "been extensively damaged throughout".

"Obviously, it's of a suspicious nature it's arson, let's not beat around the bush."

Mr Farrant said he could not condone such "Robin Hood-type" behaviour.

Neighbour Jason Hall, who owns the adjoining property, was angry the house was not destroyed under controlled conditions.

"It should have been knocked down a week ago. With a fire of that size, anything could happen. It could well have hurt other people."

- NZPA