View photos: Blaze wrecks ex-All Black's homeKEY POINTS:
Standing outside the smouldering remains of his multi-million-dollar Waikato home, former All Black Scott McLeod faced a distressing mystery: was the fire the result of a random arson attack or was the motive more sinister?
The charred shell was supposed to have been a new home for McLeod, his wife Dana and their three young children after living in Japan.
Instead, early on Thursday someone appparently used petrol to set the secluded rural mansion ablaze, leaving the family homeless and bewildered about the arsonist's motive.
The McLeods bought their dream home two years ago with plans of settling back here after five years in Japan where McLeod was signed to play for club Toshiba in Tokyo. Tenants had recently moved out.
Hamilton's chief fire safety officer Dave Jenkins said initial scene examinations had left investigators in no doubt the fire was "suspicious". "Who knows why they did it? That's a matter now for the police."
But McLeod's father Greg was adamant his son had no enemies. "I'm not aware of anyone who had a grudge against him at all."
However, it was bizzarre place for a random arson because of the property's remote location. "It was not visible from the road so someone must have known it was there."
The family was still in shock, he said. "It was his dream to come back with his family to live in that area, Tamahere. To see a lovely home like that ruined is heartbreaking." His son had left for Japan the day after the fire to tie up loose ends but was due back next week, McLeod senior said.
Dana LcLeod and the couple's children, all aged under four, are staying at a nearby farm but are too traumatised to visit the remains of their home.
Greg McLeod said he had spoken to Scott twice since the fire and had been in regular contact with police. "They have got fingerprints and are doing all the appropriate things - hopefully they will find out who did this."
Scottt McLeod spent nearly $3million on the luxurious home on Hamilton's southern rural fringes, complete with views over the Waikato River, a swimming pool and floodlit tennis court.
But his dream of returning from the madding crowds of Japan to the lush rural surroundings of the property the family loved wasn't to be.
Neighbour Simon Leed heard an alarm pierce the quiet country air at about 5am on Thursday.
Looking out, he spotted the fire and called emergency services. They arrived soon after but it was too late to save the house.
Jenkins said it was obvious to investigators the fire was started away from any power points, and accelerated by a flammable liquid, most likely petrol.
It had caused a blaze that quickly spread from the kitchen/dining area to engulf the entire house. "You can see all the burn patches where the petrol's been and the splash marks."
Firefighters lost precious minutes sawing branches from trees to negotiate the driveway. Several engines lost their flashing aerials, Jenkins said.
He said the fire could have been burning for up to 90 minutes before it was noticed, though once it took hold it "lit up the sky for a while".
A home sprinkler system, costing around $6000, could have prevented the loss of millions of dollars worth of property, Jenkins said.
Next month Scott McLeod is due to begin a new role as a skills adviser for the Waikato Rugby Union.
His father is philosophical about the senseless destruction of his son's family home. "What I am most grateful for is that my grandkids and family weren't hurt."
