Investigations into overnight house fires

Two house fires overnight sparked searches for people believed to be trapped inside.

The first fire took hold in a two-storey house in Massey, West Auckland, about 11pm yesterday.

Fire Service northern communications shift manager Jaron Phillips said the house was well ablaze when firefighters arrived.

Neighbours reported people still inside, sparking a search.

Waitemata volunteer deputy chief fire officer Mike Mosby said a couple in a rear flat and a man living upstairs were believed to be inside but crews could not enter the house until the fire was put out.

A search found the property was unoccupied.

Mr Mosby said the rear flat was saved and the building was still standing, but the lower garage and the upstairs lounge, kitchen and bedrooms were gutted.

A fire investigator would this morning try to establish the cause of the fire, which was not believed to be suspicious.

The second fire broke out in the rear bedroom of a house in Otangarei, Whangarei, about 5.30am.

Mr Phillips said firefighters searched the single-storey house after reports a person was still inside.

Nobody was found and the fire was extinguished.

Two crews were still on scene.