Victim 'playing with petrol'

The teenager killed in a West Auckland fire on Thursday night is believed to have been playing with petrol when the blaze broke out, trapping him.

Detective Sergeant Sean Hyland-Mills said Teihi Nahi was in an area under the Massey house playing with petrol when family upstairs noticed flames and smoke.

Two adults and a child escaped but the 14-year-old was trapped. It is believed he tried to escape but the exit was blocked by fire. It is understood the boy was visiting from Australia. His mother was due to arrive last night.

Fire Safety Officer Ray Coleman said firefighters received conflicting reports about who was in the house at the time. It is understood firefighters did not see the boy during the initial search.

Attempts by both firefighters and ambulance staff failed to revive the boy.

Mr Coleman said a dog was badly burnt but it ran off. It returned yesterday morning and was put down by a vet.