“Screaming and crying” Neighbour describes fatal fire in Burnham

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A Burnham resident who witnessed the fatal fire described it as “shocking and stressful” being unable to help as the fire tore through the property.

A person died when the two-story unit they were in caught fire just before 2AM on Toanui Street.

Two other people were transported to the hospital in moderate condition, while one person was in serious condition.

A neighbour told Chris Lynch Media the fire before 2AM. “Our neighbours told me what was happening. They saw the fire in the lounge.

“We went outside to look further and saw a woman screaming and crying."

The neighbour said “at 2:26AM the first police car arrived, followed by an ambulance a minute later.

The first fire truck arrived at 2:31AM, but the fire was already raging at full force by around 2:20AM.

“The entire house was burning, and two other units on either side were damaged.”

The neighbour said “it took fire crews an hour to bring the fire under control.

“It was shocking and stressful watching and not being able to do anything to help.”

Fire appliances from Rolleston, Dunsandel, Kirwee, Lincoln, Wigram, Ilam, a ladder unit from Christchurch City, and the Command Unit were called to the scene.

Fire and Emergency Shift Manager Alex Norris told Chris Lynch Media five investigators were the scene this morning.

He said the ladder unit from Christchurch City would remain on site to help with the investigation.