Netherton Fatal Fire Update

Posted by Waikato Police Media Release on 09/12/2011

Waikato Police investigating a fire at a Netherton home that is believed to have claimed the life of a yet to be identified man say their investigations will be guided by a post-mortem due to be carried out tomorrow.

Field Crime Supervisor, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead, said the scene, at a rural property in Netherton, would be under guard tonight to allow forensic experts and investigators to continue their enquiries tomorrow.

"Those enquiries will be guided to a significant degree by the outcome of a post-mortem examination being carried out on the victim in Auckland tomorrow.

"The body, of what we believe to be a man, was removed from the house about 2pm today. This recovery will allow the formal identification process to take place and once that has been completed and next of kin advised the deceased's name will be released."

Mr Whitehead said despite earlier media reports there was nothing to indicate the presence of a second person at the property at the time of the blaze however he asked if anyone had information to the contrary that they make contact with the investigation team.

"At this point both the man's death and the fire are being treated as suspicious and will continue to be so until such time as we are able to determine otherwise.

"Police would like to thank the local community for their support of the inquiry team, in particular those members of the several volunteer fire brigades who attended the initial blaze shortly before 5am and remained for several hours dampening down and those who returned to dampen down further hotspots around noon."

Anyone with any information on the fire is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Glenn Tinsley of the Waihi CIB on 07 863 8179.

Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.