Investigators working to determine the cause of a deadly house fire in Hamilton say it is too early to say if it was arson.
The Fire Service said it was called to the fire in Collingwood Street in Hamilton just after 5am on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Three people - believed to be aged 17, 19 and 25 - died when fire engulfed a large, old villa on Collingwood Street after a party there, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The bodies were removed yesterday and post-mortems were due to be carried out today.
Police said the fire was very intense and dental records, jewellery and other clues may be needed to formally identify the victims.
Four people escaped safely by breaking and climbing out of windows.
The investigation into the house fire on Collingwood Street is expected to take several days. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Waikato Fire Area Commander Roy Breeze told Morning Report it was difficult to say at this stage whether the fire was deliberately lit.
"The type of building - the old villa, you know, open, high fire-loading type places - that's where you got the ferocity from. Whether it was deliberately lit or not, it's hard to say.
"What the scary thing is is that yes, there was very fast fire spread, but obviously no-one knew it was going on until it was too late."
Mr Breeze said he thought it was unlikely the house contained working smoke alarms.
"We just can't get the message through enough that you'll survive, most likely, if you have a smoke alarm in your house. Without them, and you're asleep, there's a good chance you won't."
He said investigators were hopeful there were no further victims in the house.
"There's cavities and areas that's collapsed that we still can't get to because it's too unsafe and there is a possibility that if there is anyone else in the house, they could be there.
"We haven't got any - that we know of - clear missing people reports, that may have been at the party at the night that no-one can find, so we're hopeful that there's no-one else but we can't completely rule it out at this stage."
Investigation could take several days
Police said the second storey of the house would be strengthened today so forensic examiners could begin an investigation into what caused the fire.
They said the examination was expected to take several days.
Police still had not spoken to everyone who was at the party at the property on Friday night and they wanted those people to come forward.
They also wanted any photos and videos taken at the party and any information on a fight that broke out.
The old villa and neighbouring properties have been cordoned off and placed under police guard.
Collingwood Street has reopened but was down to one lane outside the property.
