Home damaged in ‘cruel’ fire

A multi-generational family home in the Wellington suburb of Mt Victoria has been severely damaged in a fire that is being treated as suspicious.

Police and Fire and Emergency NZ investigators at the scene yesterday declined to comment about the cause of the blaze, which began about 9.20pm on Wednesday.

Occupants Nona Mouroukis and her husband, Gerry, were staying out of town when they heard from their son that their home was on fire. ‘‘He told us not to come down, there was nothing we could do,’’ Mouroukis said.

The house had been owned by her family for 70 years.

‘‘I used to play piano in the lounge. We have had weddings, engagements in this house, 60 years of memories,’’ she said.

Mouroukis said she believed the house was being burgled, because neighbours had reported seeing several storage boxes and a flat-screen television on the kerb outside the house as it went up.

‘‘Take what you want but why set it alight? It’s a cruel thing to do,’’ she said.

Neighbour Konstantina Moutos said she heard unusual sounds from next door about 9.20pm.

‘‘I heard a strange noise like an explosion or windows smashing. Next thing I know, one of our neighbours was banging on the door telling us we had to leave,’’ Moutos said.

The fire was brought under control shortly before 11pm but evacuated residents were not allowed to return until fire crews had tested for traces of asbestos at the scene.

The fire did not spread to any neighbouring properties but the home next door was showing signs of significant damage from the heat of the blaze.

The incident comes three days after a fire, which is also being treated as suspicious, destroyed two properties in the Wellington suburb of Newtown.