Flatmates shattered after fire kills Gore woman

Desperate flatmates of Gore woman Emma Louise Frame tried in vain to save her as their home went up in flames but were beaten back by thick smoke.

The body of Miss Frame, 20, was found in a bedroom of the Redmond Street house after the blaze was brought under control early on Sunday morning.

Police said yesterday they did not believe the fire was malicious or suspicious.

Neighbours reported a party had been going on at the old wooden villa since about 4pm on Saturday and had got increasingly noisy as the night went on.

The Southland Times reported today that Miss Frame's flatmates were struggling to come to grips with the tragedy.

A mother of one of the flatmates said they were upset and feeling guilty.

They had tried to save Miss Frame but had been pushed out by thick black smoke being forced to watch helplessly as the house went up in flames.

The mother said hoped the community would not blame the young men as they were all "nice kids", who were shattered by the death.

- NZPA