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A photo of the fire, taken from Gracechurch Drive, Flat Bush, near Point View Drive.
Property records show the house is owned by Chinese-Canadian businessman Xiao Hua Gong, also known as Edward Gong, who is accused of running a $202 million pyramid scheme.
Stuff has attempted to contact Gong through his lawyer.
According to Auckland Council’s property values calculator, the home is worth about $2.025 million.
The man who was in the house at the time of the fire was alerted by a smoke alarm. He then ran next door for help.
Robert Watson, Counties Manukau senior fire risk management officer, said in an incident report the man had found the curtains and a couch in the lounge aflame.