1:47 pm today

Man charged with arson over fatal Whangārei house fire

1:47 pm today
Generic fire truck.

Police have made an arrest over a fatal house fire in April. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

A man has been charged with arson after a fatal fire in Whangārei.

Hoani Reuben died in a fire in his home on Thomas Street on 29 April.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton said a 48-year-old man has been charged with arson, and will appear in Whangārei District Court in September.

He said police are not ruling our further charges, but they are not seeking anyone else in this investigation.

Reuben, also known as Hoani Reupena-Tuoro, died after a fire, allegedly started in a car, spread to his home in the suburb of Tikipunga, shortly before 3am on 29 April.