Fire Service investigates Waimate fatal fire

5 August 2015

The Fire Service is investigating the cause of a fire that claimed the lives of three people in Waimate today.

Investigators believe the fire began in the kitchen of accommodation above a group of shops in Queen Street.

Four appliances from three volunteer brigades responded to a call at 7.41am. The first was on the scene within four and a half minutes.

Firefighters found that three children had escaped out an upstairs window and on to a veranda at the back of the building. Two workers from a nearby supermarket were already attempting to rescue the children. Firefighters helped all five to safety.

At the same time, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the first floor and brought out a fourth child and two parents. They were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The three children were taken to Timaru Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. One had minor cuts to a hand from escaping through the window.

Investigators are now trying to establish whether there were working smoke alarms in the five-bedroom accommodation area.

Acting Chief Executive & National Commander Paul McGill said the deaths were a tragedy.

“We are deeply conscious of how hard this will hit all those involved in this terrible fire.”

Mr McGill said it was vital that householders had working smoke alarms and practised evacuation plans.

He said crews from volunteer brigades in Waimate, Glenavy and Washdyke responded rapidly to the callout and performed in a highly professional manner.

“Unfortunately, they weren’t able to save those lives.”

He said the fire was well established by the time crews arrived, but they had extinguished it within 45 minutes. No firefighters were injured during the callout.

ends

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