Cockle Bay fire: two accused of murder in the death of a man in the East Auckland fire

Two men were arrested after a fatal fire at a house in Auckland’s Cockle Bay in October.

Detectives today jointly charged two 32-year-old men with the murder of Wiremu Arapo. Both men are due to appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow.

Arapo, 27, was found dead in the Minerva Terrace home after it caught fire shortly after 7 p.m. on October 20.

Arapo had established a fitness business out of the house garage in Minerva Tce, Cockle Bay, during New Zealand’s first Covid-19 lockdown.

Acting Detective Sgt. Craig Bolton, a Manukau East County Sheriff’s Office, said police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

“While charges have been filed, the police still want members of the public to send pictures before and during the fire on October 20.”

“I hope the news of the arrests brings some reassurance to the Cockle Bay community.”

Two others were injured in the October fire and taken to hospital, Bolton said at the time.

Sooner