4:51 pm today

Bucklands Beach fire: Man charged with murder of father and son keeps name secret

4:51 pm today
Police guard at the scene of the Bucklands beach double homicide fire.

Police guard at the scene of the Bucklands beach double homicide fire. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell

A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with murdering a father and son who died in an Auckland house fire.

The bodies of 36-year-old Jung Sup Lee, and his 11-year-old son Ha-il Lee were found inside the Bucklands Beach home three weeks ago.

It became a homicide investigation after police said the fire was deliberately lit with an accelerant.

Police announced on Friday afternoon they had laid two murder charges after the public's help.

Police guard at the scene of the Bucklands beach double homicide fire.

Police guard at the scene of the Bucklands beach double homicide fire. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell

A 38-year-old man, from Sunnyhills in East Auckland, has appeared in Manukau District Court where bail was not sought.

He was helped by a Korean translator, and nodded as he was spoken to.

The accused man was granted interim name suppression by Judge David McNaughton.

His lawyer, David Hoskin, argued proceedings were at an early stage and there were issues around fair trial rights.

The man will next appear in the High Court in Auckland next month.

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