Police name woman killed in Northland fire

Police have named the woman who died in a fire in her Kaikohe pensioner flat.

She was Hazel Barlow, aged 57 years from Kaikohe.

Ms Barlow died on Saturday night when smoke enveloped her bed-sit type unit, one of a block of four in Tawanui Rd.

Fire safety officers believe an accidentally discarded cigarette ignited bedclothes after she had been smoking and fell asleep. The flat had smoke alarms fitted but no batteries in them to activate a warning.

Kaikohe deputy chief fire officer Wiremu Matene said firefighters with breathing apparatus broke down a door to enter the smoke-filled unit when the brigade was called to the flats about 10.30pm.

He said the woman might have tried to get out but was overcome by smoke.

She was found dead inside the unit, which sustained significant smoke and heat damage.

Firefighters contained the fire and stopped it spreading to other units in the block.

Mr Matene said the block of flats was owned by the Far North District Council but had been leased out to a mental health provider. Kaikohe police detective Sam Bindon said yesterday the woman's death was not suspicious and it would be referred to the coroner.

She had lived alone.

Northland Fire Service regional commander Trevor Andrews said smoke alarms in the unit had no batteries.

"That's a concern because we put a lot of effort into installing alarms. It's a tragedy because the alarm was there but there was no battery."

He urged people to ensure their alarms were in working order.