House fire victim out of hospital

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The woman who suffered burns in the house fire that extensively damaged her home at the city end of Awapuni Road in the early hours of Tuesday has been discharged from hospital.

Fire and Emergency NZ and St John ambulance were called to the burning home at around 1.15am that morning.

The woman had sustained some burns and was suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Gisborne Hospital confirmed yesterday she was treated in the Emergency Department and discharged.

The interior of her home was extensively damaged in the blaze.

A senior firefighter said the fire started in the lounge room, where the woman was watching television.

Specialist fire investigator Derek Goodwin has been conducting an inquiry.

“It’s still under investigation and we feel at this stage there was some sort of accidental cause.

“The female occupant tried to tackle the fire but it got away from her.

“It could have been a fault with a gas heater,” Mr Goodwin said.

“We’re still trying to establish exactly how and why the fire started.

“It’s a relief the woman was not more seriously injured.”