Damage to the kitchen of a Pukekohe show home left by a "suspicious" fire. Photo / Supplied
A loud explosion could be heard all over Pukekohe as a show home in the area was gutted by a suspicious fire.
Photos of the David Reid property sent to the Herald show charred furniture and appliances. Most of the kitchen and living area appeared to be damaged.
Emergency services were called to the scene on the corner of Kitchener and Rowles Rds about 5am after reports of an explosion, a Fire and Emergency spokesman said.
A Herald reader said the bang from the explosion had been heard all over Pukekohe.
It was one of two fires in the area this morning.
The blaze was well involved when firefighters arrived.
A window had been smashed.
Fire investigators and police believed it was suspicious and were investigating.
Another smaller fire was discovered in the bedroom of a house on Hemopo St about 9.35am.
The first police officers who arrived at the scene put out most of the blaze using a fire extinguisher, a police spokeswoman said.
The house is in a new development.
It was believed to be suspicious because other fires had been lit nearby.
A scene guard is in place.
Police are working with a fire investigator to determine the cause of the fire.
An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the show home fire provided by police. It has now been corrected.
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