Teenager charged with arson over West Auckland Countdown fire

May 11, 2021

Some Countdown shoppers in Henderson continued to pay for their items as the flames grew.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with arson and shoplifting over a fire at a Countdown in Henderson last week.

The fire was caught on camera by other shoppers last Thursday evening.

Police say upon their arrival “there was some disorder with local youths who had been spoken to”.

No one was harmed in the incident.

Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman Paul Raddin said 60 firefighters were at the scene.

The store has been closed since the fire, and a Countdown spokesperson told Stuff it's unlikely to open this week.

The 19-year-old man is expected to appear in Waitakere District Court today.

Inquiries are ongoing to locate a second offender allegedly involved, police said.

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