Firefighters responded to the fire in Rangiora early this morning.
The house, situated at the corner of Southbrook Rd and South Belt and associated with an ongoing investigation into the murder of Richard Leman, has been completely destroyed.
The house had been subject to multiple previous arson attempts, including a Molotov cocktail attack in 2022.
Speaking to legacy media, local witness Peter Benny described the fire as a “huge bonfire,” noting the intense heat could be felt from the street. He woke nearby residents, helping them safely evacuate. Fire crews were working to extinguish the flames, and the cause remains unknown at this stage.
