Latest from Arson

A teenager told police she knew a mother-of-three was at home when she started a fire that blocked the woman's chance to escape and left her to die.

A tearful teenage girl who deliberately lit a fire which killed Pukekohe mum Lynette Chapman today changed her plea on a murder charge to guilty.

A 17-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to murdering Pukekohe mother of three Lynette Chapman, who died in a fire in her home in January.

A 19-year-old has been sentenced to two years jail for the manslaughter of a mother of three who was burned to death in her south Auckland home.

Former All Black Murray Mexted said last night he was devastated after his Hawke's Bay bach was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Almost a year after the Black Saturday bushfires devastated Victoria, two teenage boys have been charged with lighting the Bendigo blaze.

Australia is cooling down after another day of deadly heat with temperatures in three states soaring into the 40s, including record highs in Melbourne.

Vast tracts of South Australia are preparing for another baking day of catastrophic fire risk after yesterday's 40C-plus temperatures.