Man set house on fire, died of stab wounds

A man was found dead yesterday with multiple stab wounds a short distance from his Hawke's Bay home.

Police said he had earlier set the house on fire.

Another occupant of the Eskdale property called emergency services after coming across the fire just before 1pm.

As firefighters brought the fire under control, police brought in a dog to help track the man after speaking to people at the address.

The man, orchard worker Piers Salonius, 22, was located a short time later and died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.

Detective senior sergeant Bill Gregory of Napier CIB said what appeared to be the instrument used to inflict the injuries was found nearby.

A relative of the deceased man was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital with burns to his legs after he attempted to extinguish the fire.

Other residents in the area had also raced to the scene after seeing the fire and had tried to help.

The house was badly damaged.

"There are no suspicious circumstances relating to the death of the man," Mr Gregory said. "The death will be reported to the coroner."

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY