Young Boy Dies In House Fire

New Zealand Police Canterbury News Release

5 November 2007

An 8 year old boy is dead after a fire in Bromley house last night but the fire is not fireworks related, police emphasise.

At 9,30pm last night Sunday 4 November the occupants of an address in Bromley were alerted to a fire by smoke alarms in the house. Fire Service was called and rescued an eight year old boy from the second storey.

The other occupant, an older woman, had escaped prior to the arrival of the fire service. She suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation, was hospitalised but subsequently released.

The dead boy has been named as Aaron John HARWOOD. He died after his arrival at hospital. Next of kin have been advised and Victim Support is working with them. The occupant of the house had temporary care of the deceased over the weekend.

Detective Sergeant Ken Legat says that police have completed the origin and cause investigation and as a result believe they know the cause.

"We believe it is not fire works related," he says. "We are not looking for any person in relation to the fire and it will be referred to the Coroner in due course."

"This fire shows the importance if having working smoke alarms and in this case alerted the occupiers. It is also important to have an exit plan because fire develops so rapidly and can trap people inside as occurred on this occasion," he says.

ENDS

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