Khailesh Thanabalasingham secretary for the New Zealand Refugee council is in a medically induced coma after three of his immediate family members perished in a fire. PHOTO/supplied
Khailesh Thanabalasingham secretary for the New Zealand Refugee council is in a medically induced coma after three of his immediate family members perished in a fire. PHOTO/supplied
A funeral will be held for an Auckland man's son, wife and mother-in-law this week after a house fire claimed their lives and left him in a medically-induced coma.
Kaileshan Thanabalasingham, 47, suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body in the pre-dawn fire on December 22 at a house on Plantation Avenue in Flat Bush.
Thanabalasingham's father-in-law and daughter, 11, were the only other members of their family to escape the fire alive, while his son, 5, wife, 39, and his 66-year-old mother-in-law all perished.
The young girl reportedly escaped to tell firefighters people were still inside the two-storey house, which was well ablaze, with windows exploding and smoke billowing.
Fire crews worked on putting it out and enabling a rescue crew to get inside, but were unable to save everyone.
The scene of a fatal house fire on Plantation Ave in Flat Bush. PHOTO/Jason Oxenham
The funeral will be held for Umadhevi Theiventhiran, Bhamini Theiventhiran and Bareth Kailesh at 1pm January 5 at Manukau Memorial Gardens followed by private cremation and burial for Bareth, a funeral notice released to the Herald stated.
"Umadhevi is survived by her Husband Theiventhiran (Canada) and Daughter Abina (Canada). Bhamini is survived by her husband Kailesh and Daughter Krishah.
"A loving Mother, a wonderful Wife and a beautiful little boy. They will be sadly missed.
"Kailesh and his family would like to extend their gratitude to everyone that have offered their support and assistance at this time."
Despite having opened his eyes a few times, lawyer and close friend Deborah Manning said Thanabalasingham remained "heavily sedated".
While she didn't want to divulge further details of his condition, she believed the prominent refugee advocate was in a "critical, but stable" condition in the intensive care unit.
Extended family members had flown in, mostly from Canada, and were being housed by members of the community.
The injured father-in-law and his wife, who died in the blaze, were Canadian citizens who had come to New Zealand for a holiday three weeks ago.
Manning said the family was extremely grateful for the "immense support" they'd received.
"This is obviously a traumatic experience for the family and the focus is on being with him at the hospital ... it's an extremely difficult time.
"It's not an easy time for anyone who knows Kailesh and his family."
Donations to a Givealittle page, set up by the refugee community, have so far amassed over $75,000.
It will be used to help with funeral, medical and practical costs for the family.
Thanabalasingham came to New Zealand as a refugee more than 10 years ago and has been described by Manning as someone with "great empathy for others".
"He didn't come to New Zealand to look after himself. He made sure he looked after as many people as he could."
She expressed her thanks to everyone who'd now got behind him in his time of need, on behalf of the family.
"Incredible thanks, from the family for the support; it means a tremendous amount for them in what's a very difficult time ... it'll be a very long road to recovery."
