Suspicious blaze ruins family business

An early-morning blaze at a West Auckland food factory and shop yesterday destroyed a family-run business of 14 years and is being treated as suspicious by police and fire safety investigators.

Up to 12 fire trucks were called to the Sargam Indian Foods premises in Henderson just after 2.30am after a passer-by raised the alarm. The building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

Fire safety investigators who were at the scene yesterday said there were signs of a break-in at the front entrance of the building.

Business owner Vijay Naiker said he is devastated by the blaze and doesn't know why someone would target his shop.

"It feels like I've lost a son. We started this business from the ground up.

"It really hurts me that my 10 employees won't have a job here on Monday morning."

Henderson police are seeking information from anyone who was in the Bruce McLaren Rd area at the time of the fire.