Matamata house fire 'suspicious'

Reports of chemicals inside made to use methamphetamine forced fire services to fight the blaze externally until a hazardous substances team arrived. Photo / Supplied

Police are investigating a suspicious house fire at Waikato yesterday.

The house on Hampton Terrace, Matamata, was well alight when firefighters arrived shortly after 4pm.

Fire Safety officer Todd O'Donoghue said there had been a report there were chemicals inside used in to make methamphetamine so the fire was fought externally until a hazardous substances team arrived. Firefighters were then able to enter and extinguish the burning ceiling.

"Because that report had come in we had to be on the safe side but it definitely wasn't a clan lab or anything, it was just a normal family home."

Mr O'Donoghue said the blaze was being treated as suspicious and police were investigating.

It appeared it was started in an alcove area outside the front door from where it spread to a deck and into the ceiling.

Rooms were damaged by smoke and water.

Samples had been taken of debris which would be tested to see whether an accelerant had been used to start the fire. Results could take one or two weeks.

No one was home at the time, except for the family dog in the front yard, which was taken to safety by a neighbour.

-NZPA