Fatal blaze investigated

A discarded cigarette or a heater pushed up against a sofa may have caused a house fire which killed an elderly woman late on Wednesday night, police said yesterday.

But fire safety officer Ray Coleman said investigations would continue to fully determine the cause.

The dead woman is believed to be the elderly resident of the property, in the Manukau City suburb of Highland Park.

Her body was removed from the house yesterday morning.

She will be named once next of kin have been advised.

It took just over an hour and a half for five fire engines to get the blaze at Aberfeldy Ave under control.

- NZPA