Three face murder charges after house fire

Two men and a woman have been charged with murder and arson after the death of an elderly women in a house fire in Upper Hutt nearly two months ago.

They will appear in Upper Hutt District Court tomorrow.

The arrests come after police launched a homicide investigation into the death of 71-year-old Joan Elizabeth Betti in a house fire in Thackeray Street on September 3.

Investigation head Detective Inspector Rod Drew said that Mrs Betti died as a result of smoke inhalation.

"In the early stages of the investigation the cause of the fire was unclear but in the last seven days we have uncovered clear evidence which clearly points to arson," he said.

The three were arrested after a team of 35 detectives executed search warrants at three Hutt Valley addresses on Saturday morning, and interviewed about 40 people.

The interviews uncovered a wealth of information.

"The facts of the case are now very clear," Mr Drew said.

The arrested woman, a 57-year-old sickness beneficiary, had been charged with murder, arson and two counts of attempted murder.

The two men, a 21-year-old unemployment beneficiary, and a 19-year-old tyre storeman, faced charges of murder and arson.

- NZPA