Fire Service bosses are seeking law changes making it compulsory for rental properties to have smoke alarms installed and maintained.

Mourners are today gathering to farewell two of the three young people who died in a fierce Hamilton house fire last week.

A man who allegedly tried to entice a nine-year-old girl into his ute as she walked home from school in Hamilton on Thursday is being sought by police.

The families of three house fire victims are "horrified" that gatherings intended to pay respects to their loved ones have turned violent.

Greg Johnston's life was shattered the moment he received a phone call to say his little sister was unaccounted for in a devastating house fire.

The family of Hamilton fire victim Toni Maree Johnston has described her as an infectious and fun-loving young woman at a press conference this afternoon.

Police say they are aware of two alleged incidents and have received one complaint involving a female teacher at a boys' Catholic college in Hamilton, but say no crime has been committed.

A female teacher at a Catholic boys' college has resigned amid allegations she had sex with two students.

A police officer rescued a storm-drenched baby morepork from the side of the road before making a bed for it at the Hamilton Police Station.

It wasn't meant to be a big party - just a gathering of a few friends of flatmates at the old Collingwood St villa to welcome a new flatmate.

Parents of a young woman who died with two others in a house fire say it's a 'bloody nightmare', as police seek cellphone footage of a party held that night.

Crowds gathered and bagpipe music played as a hearses containing the bodies were driven from the burnt remains of the house where three people died.

A search and rescue team will return to the scene of a deadly blaze today fearing more bodies will be found after three young people were killed.

At least three people have been killed following a large house fire in Hamilton early today.

Today is Child Matters advocacy organisation's fourth annual child abuse prevention "Buddy Day".

An overseas student who was grabbed around the neck and dragged towards a car managed to lash out at her attacker to escape.

Friends of a woman who lost a child and her home in a house fire have set up a fundraising page to help the family.

The biggest pumpkin Grace Lusty has grown weighed in at a whopping 96kg.

A Hamilton man says he's no hero but is grateful for the recognition he has received after he saved a woman being mauled by her dog.

A Hamilton woman who was mauled by her own dog is praising the bravery of a passing stranger who she says saved her life.

A car's early morning plough through a wooden fence and subsequent crash into a Hamilton home had a resident thinking "something must have blown over" outside.

A passer-by is being hailed a hero after he jumped over a fence and repeatedly whacked a dog with a broom stick to stop it from attacking its owner.

Police have been on the hunt overnight for three men, thought to be involved in a violent robbery in Hamilton.

A 13-year-old girl with an intellectual disability went missing in Hamilton overnight.