From rental to charred ruin
Their guests provided references and paid up front for a week’s lakeside holiday.
But now a pair of unsuspecting landlords have been left with a burnt out shell after a suspected drug lab fire claimed their holiday home at Mangakino.
The house on a street overlooking Lake Mangakino had been hired for a week-long stay through the online website bookabach.
It was understood equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine was discovered at the 100sqm three bedroom bach that went up in flames early Monday morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Cranshaw of Taupo police confirmed the fire was ‘‘highly suspicious’’.
Further evidence needed to be tested by ESR but at this stage police suspected there was a meth lab connected to the blaze, he said.
Taupo-based Kim Sullivan, who owns the home with her husband, said their rental house had been booked out for the week..
A woman had made the booking online stating two people would be staying at the house for a week long visit from last Thursday.
Money had been paid into the Sullivans’ bank account and a payment confirmation slip sent.
‘‘We are quite shocked actually, you rent out your house assuming people are there for a holiday and to have a good time - it’s quite devastating to know that bad things can happen.’’
The fast-burning blaze had ripped through the home on Rimu St, endangering the neighbouring holiday homes at 4.30am.
Two people were initially unaccounted for but police later said they were not believed to be inside the home. A car was left parked on the driveway, undrivable from burned tyres.
‘‘We are investigating and need to speak with the occupants of the house,’’ Cranshaw said.
Bookabach general manager Peter Miles said there had been one other case where a bookabach property in Northland may have been used as a suspected meth lab.
He recommended providers vet guests beforehand, through a phone call and by checking out their social media profiles. There was always going to be some risk.