- Saturday 31 July 2010
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Body found near blazing cannabis house
By KATEE SHANKS in Whakatane
The house house that was gutted by fire (left), next to the house where the man's body was found. AN electrical fault at a cottage being used for cannabis cultivation was the cause of a blaze near Whakatane yesterday, police said.
But the police investigation into the discovery of 59-year-old Brian Maurice Martin in a house adjacent to the fire has concluded he died of natural causes.
Firemen found Martin's body when they were called to the house fire at the intersection of State Highway 30 and MacDonalds Rd near Awakeri between 2.30am and 3am.
Fire, electrical and police investigators determined the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a cottage at the property, which was adjacent to the dead man's house, Eastern Bay of Plenty police acting area commander Bruce Jenkins said.
He said the cottage was unoccupied, but being used to house an elaborate hydroponic cannabis growing operation.
Mr Jenkins said passing motorists had noticed flames coming from the house.
"When firefighters arrived one of the two houses on the property was fully engulfed in flames and was completely gutted."
Mr Jenkins said the body was found in the other house.
There were initial concerns for other people police believed may have lived at the address.
"These people have since been located and are helping police with the investigation."
Mr Martin farmed within the Awakeri area for many years and once used Clydesdale horses to help him on the land.
Neighbour Harvey Edmeades said he could best describe Mr Martin as an "all purpose saddle".
"I think if you really wanted to know him you would have to ask a horse, as he had an incredible affiliation with the animals," Mr Edmeades said.
"You could almost call him a horse whisperer."
The house house that was gutted by fire (left), next to the house where the man's body was found. AN electrical fault at a cottage being used for cannabis cultivation was the cause of a blaze near Whakatane yesterday, police said.
But the police investigation into the discovery of 59-year-old Brian Maurice Martin in a house adjacent to the fire has concluded he died of natural causes.
Firemen found Martin's body when they were called to the house fire at the intersection of State Highway 30 and MacDonalds Rd near Awakeri between 2.30am and 3am.
Fire, electrical and police investigators determined the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a cottage at the property, which was adjacent to the dead man's house, Eastern Bay of Plenty police acting area commander Bruce Jenkins said.
He said the cottage was unoccupied, but being used to house an elaborate hydroponic cannabis growing operation.
Mr Jenkins said passing motorists had noticed flames coming from the house.
"When firefighters arrived one of the two houses on the property was fully engulfed in flames and was completely gutted."
Mr Jenkins said the body was found in the other house.
There were initial concerns for other people police believed may have lived at the address.
"These people have since been located and are helping police with the investigation."
Mr Martin farmed within the Awakeri area for many years and once used Clydesdale horses to help him on the land.
Neighbour Harvey Edmeades said he could best describe Mr Martin as an "all purpose saddle".
"I think if you really wanted to know him you would have to ask a horse, as he had an incredible affiliation with the animals," Mr Edmeades said.
"You could almost call him a horse whisperer."
- additional reporting NZPA
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