Man charged with arson after body found in burning car in South Auckland

November 4, 2020

A homicide investigation has been launched after the incident in Manurewa on Wednesday morning.

A man has been charged with arson after a body was found in a car on fire in Auckland's Manurewa this morning.

Detective Inspector Chris Barry, of Counties Manukau Police, said emergency services were called to the scene on Alfriston Road at about 3am.

Firefighters extinguished the fire, then a body was found, Barry said.

Police launched a homicide investigation which is still underway.

Police are working to identify the body, which was discovered after the fire was extinguished.

A 31-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court this afternoon charged with arson.

Police are now appealing for information regarding any suspicious activity involving a white 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander in the Manurewa and Alfriston areas.

Today's incident is believed to be an isolated incident, and there are no links to gang activity at this time, Barry said. 

"Our investigation is still in the early stages and we cannot rule out further charges or arrests in this case," he said.

"Police now has a number of inquiries underway to establish the identity of the deceased, and to determine the circumstances of what has occurred. Our priority is to identify the deceased and locate their next of kin."

A post mortem will take place tomorrow.

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