Investigation into fatal house fire in Christchurch

Tuesday, 16 September 2014 - 11:41am

Police and Fire investigators have completed the scene examination for Saturday’s fatal house fire.

The scene examination and post-mortem indicate that Corey James MCLEAN was likely to have been asleep in a back room at the property before the fire started and has not woken up. Investigations are ongoing into the cause of the fire but indications are that the fire was extremely intense and the other occupants were very lucky to have got out.

The New Zealand Fire Service has confirmed that smoke alarms were fitted at the property and were checked in June 2014 by Housing New Zealand. They cannot confirm at this stage whether or not the smoke alarms were working at the time of the fire.

Victim Support are assisting the occupants at the address and the victim’s family.

Police and the Fire Service say this fire is a timely reminder of the need to have an escape plan as fire moves incredibly fast.

Police are not making any further comment at this time.

ENDS

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