Car crashes into Auckland vaping store, setting it on fire

A vape store in Auckland was set alight in the early hours of Sunday morning when a car crashed into it, exactly 24 hours after it was set on fire.

Fire and Emergency say they were called just after 3am on Sunday to a fire at a two-story commercial building on Manukau Rd in Epsom. 

Thirteen fire trucks were dispatched to fight the blaze at Vapebox, which was "well underway" when they arrived. 

Vapebox in Epsom. Photo credit: Newshub.

On Saturday morning at the same time - 3am - the shop was set alight.

"The occupants of a residential property above the store were home at the time of both incidents," said Det Snr Sgt Kathryn Bostock.

"While they were fortunately not injured in either incident, police are mindful that the outcome could have been very different, and we are taking this matter very seriously."

Footage shot by Newshub at the scene on Sunday showed a car fully burned out sitting inside the store. 

The blaze is being treated as suspicious.

"We would like to hear from anyone in the Manukau Rd area around the times of these two incidents, who may have seen something which could assist our enquiries."

The number to call if you have information is 105. 

 

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