A young mother has died after a blaze engulfed her home last night and also claimed the life of her 3-year-old daughter.
Four other children, who were the girls’ siblings, were also injured in the house fire in Mairehau, Christchurch.
They were aged between 10 weeks and 5 years old and were admitted to hospital.
Police earlier said the 23-year-old mother was in a critical condition in hospital before her death was later announced this evening.
Three of the surviving children have been discharged and are in the care of family members. One child, a 2-year-old, remains in hospital in a stable condition, with moderate injuries.
A friend told the Herald the young whānau “were the most caring, kindhearted family” they knew and were always there if people needed them.
Police earlier said four of the injured were children, and two were adults.
The child died at the property on Whitehall St.
The family earlier thanked the local community for its “love and respect”.
A family friend shared a message from the affected family to send to the local community.
“While we have our hands full, we are so very grateful for everything. We ask that people continue showing love and respect the way they have been this has been a devastating loss to our whānau. We will reach out to those organising when we can.”
The last part referred to members of the local community who have rallied to collect household items and clothing to donate to the victims.
The Spreydon Fire Station shared a tribute following the devastating blaze.
“Our hearts are breaking today for the family whose lives have been torn apart by the house fire in Mairehau.
“It is a tragedy beyond words that anyone, especially children, should have to suffer such loss and trauma,” it wrote.
Coralanne Child, the Ministry of Education’s director of education for Canterbury and Chatham Islands, said the ministry has been in contact with an education provider to offer support.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic house fire in Christchurch overnight and our hearts go out to the whānau and community affected,” she said.
“Any other schools or services who may need assistance are encouraged to reach out”, with a specialist traumatic incident team available to help.
Police are yet to determine the cause of the fire but said it’s not believed to be suspicious.
One neighbour said they became aware of the fire when they heard windows breaking – but heard no sirens.
They said they often heard young children playing in the backyard and believed the family had lived there for a few years.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) said it cancelled today’s planned strike after the fatal fire.
The NZPFU National Committee said it called off the nationwide one-hour strike, scheduled from noon today, “in recognition of the impact of the fire on the whānau, their wider support network”.
“The loss and devastation will be widely felt by Christchurch and ripple through the country.”
Emergency crews were called about 8.25pm after reports of a house fire and people unaccounted for.
This morning, Whitehall St remained cordoned off.
Police officers were at the Hills Rd and Westminster St ends.
Police cars and a police white trailer remained, but no other emergency services were at the scene.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers was also spotted behind the cordon.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said four ambulances, two rapid response units and an operations manager went to the scene.
Cordons are in place around Whitehall St and the public is urged to avoid the area while the scene is investigated.