Neighbours have described the chaos in a suburban Christchurch street as they rushed to help a family whose house went up in flames, claiming the life of a child.
Two adults and four other children were taken to hospital following the blaze in Whitehall St, Mairehau, on Thursday night, with one person in a critical condition.
Firefighters spent Friday morning investigating the cause of the fire, although police have said it is not believed to be suspicious.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, told RNZ she heard screaming and shouting from the house when the fire broke out.
Another said a man from the house banged on his door, asking for help.
He and his wife then gathered three of the children from the berm - a baby and two young children - and kept them at their house until ambulance staff arrived to collect them.
They said they were shocked and heartbroken by the child's death.
Emergency services were first called at 8.25pm on Thursday with cordons in place on Whitehall Street and Hills Road.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said a scene guard was put in place at the property overnight.
"Police will be carrying out a scene examination today, including working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand fire investigators," she said.
They said they were shocked and heartbroken by the child's death.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said a scene guard was put in place at the property overnight.
"Police will be carrying out a scene examination today, including working with Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire investigators."
The cause of the fire was still to be determined, but it was not believed to be suspicious.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers who visited the scene last night has today expressed his support for those affected.
"These tragic incidents are not easy for staff and whenever possible I do try to show up to offer my support for them."
He was visiting Christchurch to thank staff involved in the investigation and ongoing trial relating to the death of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, who was fatally struck by a car in Nelson early on New Year’s Day in 2025.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers visited the scene on Thursday night to support local staff.
"These tragic incidents are not easy for staff and whenever possible I do try to show up to offer my support for them," he said.
Chambers was in the city to thank staff involved in the investigation and High Court trial for the man accused of murdering Nelson Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.
Strike action called off
Firefighters have decided to call off a nationwide one-hour strike from noon today due to the tragedy.
The NZPFU National Committee said the decision had been made in recognition of "the impact of the fire on the whānau (of those who were in the house), their wider support network and in recognition the loss and devastation will be widely felt by Christchurch and ripple through the country".
"We acknowledge the efforts of all those that responded, including the 111 emergency dispatchers and the firefighting crews with work continuing today with fire investigation members and the impact this incident will have had on them all."
Cancelling the strike was a way to show support, the committee said.
Christchurch Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said emergency services worked at the scene until late on Thursday night.
Cordons remain in place on Whitehall St and Hills Rd.
- Allied Media and RNZ
