Elderly man dies after house fire

An 85-year-old man rescued from his burning Napier home late last night died from his injuries today.

Firefighters responded to a blaze on King Street in the suburb of Taradale about 11.30pm.

Napier senior station officer Mike Peachey said firefighters found the man unconscious in his hallway near the fire in the lounge and dragged him to safety.

His 82-year-old wife was found outside the home, having managed to escape the blaze.

The couple was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital, the man in a critical condition.

Hospital spokeswoman Anna Kirk said the man died from his injuries this morning and his wife had been discharged from hospital.

A St John Ambulance district operations manager Stephen Smith said the man suffered severe burns to his head, chest and leg, and the woman suffered smoke inhalation.

Two neighbours were also taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, after possibly attempting to enter the home, Mr Smith said.

Ms Kirk said a third person had been discharged overnight and she was not aware of a fourth.

The house is badly damaged and fire safety officers are investigating the cause of the fire.

- NZPA