Police hunting arsonist after blaze at Auckland rest home

A fire investigator examines a room at the Aranui rest home. Picture / Kenny Rodger

A blaze at an Auckland rest home early yesterday was deliberately lit.

Six residents of Aranui Rest Home were taken to Auckland City Hospital suffering smoke inhalation and shock after fire broke out in a lounge area in the Mt Albert rest home about midnight yesterday.

They have since been discharged.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty last night confirmed the investigation had been handed to police, who had a list of "nominated" suspects.

But she would not say if rest home residents were among those being investigated for the arson.

Auckland regional fire safety chief Murray Binning said last night a Fire Service scene examination revealed that the blaze had been deliberately set in two chairs in a lounge area.

About 10 people, many needing assistance, had to be evacuated from the building, but manager Susan Le Masurier yesterday praised night staff for following escape procedures.

Mr Binning said there had initially been some concerns about safety procedures at the home, but on further inspection it was found the building's sprinkler and early-warning systems had been effective.

"A fair amount of smoke had spread from one room to another ... but on looking at the course of events, and the evacuation of the residents ... everything worked in that regard."

He said it was the type of fire that could quickly cause extensive and dangerous levels of smoke clogging.

But the smoke detection and the sprinkler systems were able to contain the fire.

Aranui Rest Home would not comment on the arson investigation.