The near-century-old villa in Hamilton where three young people died in a fire is being demolished.
A demolition crew has been at the home since 5.30am and expects to clear the remains of the six-bedroom home where 17-year-old Connor James Swetman, Toni Maree Johnston, 23 and Jake Lindsay Hayes, 19 died on November 15 after an early morning fire tore through the Collingwood St house.
The trio were farewelled at funerals last week.
The cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious, is still being investigated by police and fire services but the gutted home was handed back to its owners last week after forensic investigations were completed.
A scene guard is in place at the front of where the house once stood that is now piles of blackened timber and twisted corrugated iron.
A vigil for the deceased - across the street from the damaged house - that became a shrine to the memories and was littered with beer bottles, cigarettes and other mementos has been cleared.
- James Ihaka of the New Zealand Herald