Store employee fled flames, court told

It was June 14, the night of the 2018 general election. Friendly Mart in Arorangi had closed at 10pm, and the workers had gone home to watch the election results roll in. But at around 11.15pm, sharp-eyed neighbours saw smoke billowing from the front and back doors of the building.

It was June 14, the night of the 2018 general election. Friendly Mart in Arorangi had closed at 10pm, and the workers had gone home to watch the election results roll in. But at around 11.15pm, sharp-eyed neighbours saw smoke billowing from the front and back doors of the building.