Police believe a double-fatal house fire in the Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach was deliberately lit and is being treated as a homicide investigation.

The October 2 fire claimed two lives, including an 11-year-old.

Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua spoke to media at 12.30pm today.

Police have spent the last six days trawling the scene on Murvale Drive, Bucklands Beach, investigating the cause of last Thursday’s fire.

A fundraiser has also been launched for the grieving wife and son who survived a double-fatal house fire in the Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach.

One of the victims was a beloved Year 7 student at the local intermediate school, although the victims’ names have not been formally released.

The aftermath of the blaze at a home on Murvale Drive, in the eastern Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach. Photo / NZ Herald 

A post on the Givealittle page, which was set up by a friend of the family’s, said the mum is facing the “unimaginable” and who is now left to navigate living expenses.

“This page has been set up to support her with urgent financial relief so she can focus on grieving, healing, and finding a way forward without the heavy burden of financial stress.”

The funds would go towards “funeral expenses, household and living costs, grief support, and providing a foundation for the family to navigate this challenging time”.

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A “delightful” 11-year-old Bucklands Beach Intermediate student died on Thursday, leaving his classmates “numb”.

Deputy principal Will Roper called the boy a credit to his family.

The boy’s older brother, who is understood to have survived the fire, was a former pupil at the school, Roper told Stuff.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with their family, friends and all those affected at this very difficult time.”

Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua gives an update on the double-fatal house fire in the Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach on October 2, which claimed two lives, including an 11-year-old. Photo / Corey Fleming

Police and fire investigators remain at the scene of a fatal house fire in Murvale Drive, Bucklands Beach, Auckland. Photo / Cherie Howie 

Va’aelua said earlier that police were working with fire investigators at the fire-damaged property.

The property was severely damaged, with windows shattered and debris strewn about the blackened house.

The property was severely damaged, with windows shattered and debris strewn about the blackened house.The home was left blackened and gutted after the fire. Photo / NZME 

Crews in boiler suits searched the home within the cordon that remained in place for several days. Emergency services covered a badly charred upstairs room with a blue tarpaulin, leaving one upstairs room visible.

Neighbours recounted waking to the roar of fire and “mini explosions” as the blaze quickly gripped the home.

Thick plumes of smoke and large orange flames could be seen as firefighters battled the fire for several hours.

The man who filmed the property engulfed by fire said neighbours gathered outside, calling to others to evacuate. 

Thick plumes of smoke and orange flames pour out the Bucklands Beach home on Murvale Drive. 

“[The flames] would have been 5m, maybe, in the air, from the top of the house.”

Neighbour Kathy saw bright orange flames rising “really high”.

“I’ve never seen a fire like it. It was intense, it was scary. I won’t tell you what my first words were.”