Hamilton triple fatal house fire: release III

Waikato Police at the scene where three people lost their lives in a house fire in Hamilton on Saturday say work is progressing well in terms of them being able to clear the scene.

District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Karl Thornton, said fire-fighters had done an outstanding job shoring up the Collingwood St address but clearing the property so as to enable a forensic examination to be completed is proving time consuming.

"We can say at this point with the work completed so far we are not looking for anyone else in relation to persons missing as a result of the fire.

"Due to the complexity of the scene, part of the clearing operation has incorporated the use of cadaver dogs as well as staff specially trained in dealing with large scale incidents of this nature."

While comfortable they were no longer facing the prospect of further casualties being discovered, Mr Thornton said the Police's presence at the scene was far from over with officers expecting to remain at the scene at least till the end of the week.

"Structural reinforcement work will continue to create an environment where we are comfortable forensic teams can work safely in their efforts to determine the cause of the fire.

"While this is going on, the painstaking work around identifying the victims and completing the post-mortem examinations is still underway in Auckland."

Mr Thornton said all of the various teams involved in the operation are aware of the need for thoroughness in what they are doing and they are all focused on the fact that they are working on the behalf of three families struck down by tragedy who are awaiting the return of their loved ones.

ENDS

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