Arson ruled out in killer-fire inquiry

Early investigations into a Foxton house fire that killed a 22-year-old woman and a 3-year-old girl suggest it was not started deliberately.

The fire started about 2.15am yesterday, on Hulke St in Foxton, 39km southwest of Palmerston North.

Firefighters carried the two from the front room of the house, but were unable to revive them.

Police later named the woman as Atarina Emma Robinson, from Waiouru, and the child as Lesharn Kiri-Leigh Taitoko, who lived in the house.

Neighbours pulled Lesharn's 24-year-old mother from her room at the back of the burning house to safety.

Ms Robinson had been visiting the family and was staying overnight, Detective Senior Sergeant Marc Hercock said.

"It is still too early to determine the exact cause of the fire and a number of possibilities are being looked at, but fire investigators are telling us that there is nothing at this stage to indicate to them that it was started deliberately," he said.

About 50 family and friends of the dead woman and child visited the scene to pay their respects and say a karakia, before the bodies were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for an autopsy.

- NZPA