The empty burnt-out South Dunedin flat where the bodies of Anastasia Margaret Neve (35) and David Ian Clarke (49) were found inside on January 22, was again damaged by fire early yesterday morning.
Yesterday afternoon about 20 people gathered on the street to watch as the flat was demolished by Hall Brothers Contracting.
A fire investigator and the police criminal investigation branch conducted a scene examination yesterday morning. A police spokeswoman said the fire was being treated as suspicious.
Kevin Taggart, who was dragged from the front flat of the burning building in January, took one last look at his old home before it was pulled down.
Mr Taggart said he was still traumatised by the death of his two friends and was sad the flat would be destroyed.
The neighbouring house was also damaged again by the fire, only two weeks after the repairs to fix the damage from the first fire were finished.
The property owner, who did not want to be named, said she was devastated her house had been damaged again but she was glad to see the burnt-out building gone.
She hoped everyone living in the street would now be able to move on from the whole incident. Her sentiment was shared by the other residents who watched from the footpath across the road.
The 46-year-old man allegedly behind the January incident had his case called before the High Court at Dunedin yesterday.
Counsel Judith Ablett-Kerr QC made an application to continue name suppression.
Crown prosecutor Robin Bates did not oppose the stance.
Justice Helen Dunningham accordingly granted interim suppression until at least June 30. The reasons for the order cannot be published.
