Bucklands Beach fire: Intermediate student among two killed in blaze

An intermediate school student was one of the people killed in a house fire at Bucklands Beach.

The 11-year-old was a student at Bucklands Beach Intermediate School and has been remembered as a “delightful young boy”.

Two people died and three others were injured when fire engulfed a home on Murvale Drive early on Thursday, October 2.

Thick plumes of smoke and orange flames pour out of a home on Murvale Drive, Bucklands Beach, during the October 2 blaze. Photo / Supplied

Bucklands Beach Intermediate School deputy principal Will Roper said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our students tragically lost their life in the house fire on Murvale Drive on October 2.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with their family, friends and all those affected at this very difficult time.”

Roper told the Herald support is being made available to students, staff and families within the school community.

“We ask that the privacy of the family is respected as they grieve their loss.”

Roper told Stuff the student was an 11-year-old who was a Year 7 pupil at the school.

He said the student was a quiet and “delightful young boy” whose death had left some of his classmates “numb”.

“Just very studious, very polite ... a credit to his family.”

The boy’s older brother, who is understood to have survived the fire, was a former pupil at the intermediate school, Roper told Stuff.

Police and fire investigators at the scene of last week's fatal house fire in Bucklands Beach. Photo / Cherie Howie

Ministry of Education north leader Isabel Evans said it was deeply saddened by the news and the thoughts of staff were with the family and community.

“Our traumatic incident team is supporting the school in responding to this tragic event and will be available for as long as needed,” she said.

Last week, Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said the police investigation was in the early stages.

“The cause of the fire has not been determined and we are working with fire investigators as part of those inquiries,” he said.

Last week, police said two occupants who were hospitalised after the fire were still recovering from their burns; one had been discharged and the other remained in hospital in a stable condition.

The names of those killed in the fire have not been formally released.

Police have been approached for an update on the investigation.

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