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CP0335
Vol 47, No 40
'Nutter set own room alight'
By NICK KRAUSE
T
he fire which gutted most of a Somerville Road home last week was allegedly caused by a disgruntled 24-year-old flatmate who torched his own bedroom. And the home, valued recently at around $1.6 million, is not in any way connected to the production of the drug P (methamphetamine), another occupant told the Times. A woman – who had a room at the house and asked not to be named - said the culprit was one of six renting a room at the plush home. The alleged arsonist currently has name suppression. The head tenant, who is understood to be around retirement age, is believed to be Kevin Patterson, an apparent former teacher at Howick College.
The home’s owner – who also asked for anonymity - said the house had been rented out for six years to Kevin with no problems - until this issue with the alleged arsonist. Kevin had tried to eject the young man. “Kevin is respectable. He has history with the school and is now a professional painter,” the owner said. The issue with the alleged arsonist was the culmination of several days of pressure to pay the rent. The woman said Kevin tried to throw “the nutcase” out the week before the fire. On the day he was kicked out, the door was locked behind him. The woman said: “He was locked out. I heard him say ‘Fire! Get out,” she said. “He was crazy. The fire started in his own room (located upstairs). I’m really shocked. “People said he was running over cars.”
JAMI-LEE ROSS
MP FOR BOTANY
She reiterated that the house was not dealing or making illicit drugs. “It’s not a P house – it never was. it’s peaceful and quiet. There are never any parties here.” Police charged the man on Monday afternoon and he has appeared in the Manukau District Court. He is on bail and is to appear in court again later this month. The maximum penalty for the offence is 14 years’ jail. Part of Somerville Road was closed off from 4pm on Monday as fire fighters worked for several hours to get the blaze under control. Meanwhile the home’s owner said his insurer says the house isn’t covered for arson. “The property has always been insured,” the owner said. He said in 2016 State Insurance brought in a new policy and that arson is not covered.
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“Now State don’t want to pay. You should always check your policy,” warned the owner, who has not discounted challenging State’s position. However a State spokesperson said there have been no significant changes to State Home Insurances policies regarding arson in recent years. “Insurance claims are considered on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the facts and circumstances related to the event. “As with most home insurance policies, State covers policyholders for accidental loss, not intentional damage. However, in general terms, with rental properties, if a tenant, guest of a tenant or anyone else living in the building, intentionally causes damage by fire, then the policy would provide cover for this.”
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