Emergency services were at a house fire in the Christchurch suburb of Hornby on December 11. Photo / George Heard
The victim of a fatal house fire in Christchurch last week has been named by police.
Corrina Angelique Smith, 53, was known as Angie to her friends and family.
Emergency services were notified of the blaze on Dickson Cres in the suburb of Hornby at 12.55pm last Wednesday, December 11.
A section of the house had been destroyed by fire, where Smith’s body was located by police.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends at this difficult time,” police said in a statement today.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, told the Herald earlier she heard a “massive bang” and knew something was wrong.
“She was in a wheelchair. Evidently, her carers had just arrived when I looked outside, and they were just beside themselves, understandably ... I think they’d been caring for her for quite a while,” the woman said.
While the specific cause of the fire is still being investigated, initial indications suggest the fire was not suspicious.
Police said further inquiries will be undertaken to determine the cause of the fire.
Smith’s death has also been referred to the coroner.
Defence lawyer: 'He’s spent much of his life acting out and pretending to be tough'.