Two people have died in a house fire in Palmerston North this morning. Police said they believed a child and adult had died in the fire, however they said it was still subject to confirmation.
Residents were among those who tried to save their screaming neighbours from a fatal house fire which is believed to have claimed the lives of an adult and child.
More than 30 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze which gutted the two unit property on Exeter Crescent, in thesuburb of Takaro shortly before 3am.
The first body has been removed from the house.
The first body has been removed from the house. Photo / Jimmy Ellingham
As it was a haka broke out among some of the family and friends gathered.
Palmerston North Police said they believed a child and an adult had died in the fire, however this was still subject to confirmation.
Nine others were also rushed to hospital following the fatal blaze, and it is believed they are all from the same extended family.
A Palmerston North Hospital spokesman said a 20-year-old man and 12-year-old girl were in a stable condition in intensive care. An 18-year-old woman was in a stable condition in the general ward, as were 9 and a 13-year-old in the children's ward. One person was discharged this morning.
More than 30 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Detective Inspector Ross McKay said this afternoon that nine out of 11 members of the same family were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and minor injuries.
It is believed a girl aged 6 and a grand mother in her sixties had died but no formal identification had been made.
"We'll be able to do that later today or tomorrow and investigations will commence with fire investigators and police investigators to look at the course of the fire."
Housing New Zealand has confirmed in a statement that it was one of their homes and was now working with the family "to ensure they have the support they require at this traumatic time".
There were no early indications as to what caused the fire.
Initial reports suggested there was a working smoke alarm, Mr McKay said.
"Initial indications are that family members were awoken by the smell of smoke and possibly by one person calling out."
The age of the children in the house ranges from six to 22 and their mother was in her 40s.
It was unknown if the two people who died were upstairs or downstairs.
The family is receiving victim support from police and iwi.
The bodies were expected to be removed from the house later today and eight police officers were currently working on the case.
"I just heard this big bang," Mrs Wharepouri said.
"Then bright flames and I just ran. Richard went and grabbed the phone and rang all the services and I ran over to the house. One of the young boys came out and said ring an ambulance because he cut his hand jumping out the window."
She tried to get in the house but the smoke was too thick.
"All we could hear was the screaming from the girl upstairs."
The two-story state house unit has been completely destroyed by the house fire. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Police got her out but Mrs Wharepouri thought two young children downstairs were unaccounted for.
One neighbour, Sherry, said she was "a bit shaken" this morning after seeing the flames from the fatal fire.
"I just heard people yelling and I thought, 'oh they must be having a domestic', then I heard all this banging, so it was obviously the glass was popping and stuff like that," she said.
"When I looked out the window and I saw all the flames, I just ran out in my nightdress, but oh my gosh I couldn't do anything."
A scene guard has been placed on the property. Photo / Jimmy Ellingham
Other neighbours had gathered outside as well, she said, but there was nothing they could do.
"I couldn't do anything, I couldn't help. [It was] horrible," she said.
"It was pretty horrific, something that's your worst nightmare."
Sherry said she knew the family from when she used to deliver bread to the community, but only knew one of the children by name.
She said she believed it was an extended family that lived in the property.
Jason Mather said he came down last night when he heard what happened and saw some of the children sitting on the side of the road with their mother.
"They were screaming out for their missing family members. It was pretty sad to see them screaming... My daughter walked home from school with one of the girls just yesterday.
"My daughter is distraught by it," he said.
"It was something I didn't really want to see. I'm still a bit numb from it really."
