Police unable to guard horror house

Flames engulf the Christchurch house where two bodies were found earlier this month. Photo / Supplied

It was up to the neighbour and the bank holding the mortgage on Christchurch's "house of horrors" to protect it from arson, say police.

A blaze which gutted the semi-detached house in the suburb of Wainoni late on Saturday was being treated as suspicious.

This month, the bodies of Tisha Lowry, 28, and Rebecca Sarah Somerville, 35, were found buried beneath the house.

Mrs Somerville's husband, Jason Somerville, 33, who lived with his wife there, has been charged with murdering both women.

The threat to burn the house down surfaced shortly after the bodies were discovered.

Police said they were concerned that some commentators appeared to be "deliberately misrepresenting the actions taken by police to secure the property at Wainoni Road".

Northern area commander Inspector Dave Lawry said police were unable to keep a guard on the property indefinitely.

They told the owners, including the Australian-based company which secured the mortgage, that there was a threat of arson.

After the warning, police kept scene guards for two extra days, until last Wednesday, to allow for those with a direct interest in the asset to protect it, Mr Lawry said.

"No such action was taken by those parties."

Neighbour Jason Hall, who owns the adjoining property, earlier said he was angry the house was not destroyed under controlled conditions.

Authorities should have acted sooner to prevent the fire. "It should have been knocked down a week ago. With a fire of that size, anything could happen. It could well have hurt other people."

However, Mr Lawry said: "The neighbour, Mr Hall, has also elected to take no action to protect his property."

The New Brighton Fire Service was advised of the possible threat of arson. Community Watch and police patrols were keeping the house under surveillance during regular patrols, Mr Lawry said.

He said the Somerville family had removed possessions.

Police had already gathered all the evidence from the property and did not lose any in the fire.

They had also arranged for a kaumatua to bless the property and lift any tapu on Monday before they left the scene.

- NZPA