Grandmother dies in fire rescue attempt

The fire is thought to have been caused by sparks or embers from the fireplace. Picture / Paul Estcourt

Asena Tongotongo was a family matriarch who devoted herself to looking after her children and grandchildren.

When fire broke out at the family's Mangere home at 4am yesterday, Mrs Tongotongo alerted her sleeping son and his wife, and woke three grandchildren aged 21, 15 and 13.

They were able to flee the burning house, but Mrs Tongotongo lost her own life as she battled the flames and smoke trying to find her 9-year-old adopted son, Tonolo.

But Tonolo, who was sleeping in the same room as his grandmother, had already escaped.

Ma'asi Tongotongo said his mother thought Tonolo was still in the lounge.

"She shouted his name but she didn't know he was outside," he said. "Smoke covered all the rooms and everyone went outside."

Ma'asi Tongotongo said his brother, who lives next door to their parents, ran into the burning house and crawled along the floor to find his mother.

He dragged her outside and firefighters carried her to a water bath set up on the footpath.

But with burns to 70 per cent of her body, she later died in Middlemore Hospital with her husband at her side.

The 79-year-old had been looking forward to a large 80th birthday celebration in August.

Grieving family members said Mrs Tongotongo was a caring woman who looked after many children and grandchildren. She had been married to Ta'ani for 57 years and Ma'asi Tongotongo said his distraught father would not leave his wife's hospital bedside yesterday morning.

Neighbour Matu'u Pulepule said Mr Tongotongo was an active man and would gather wood from piles stacked outside. "The old man was very hard-working. I feel sorry for him now."

Mr Pulepule was awake when the fire started and said he heard screaming from outside. He saw flames shooting from the roof and bursting through windows at the Tongotongo house.

He rang 111 and said the Fire Service and two ambulances were at the house within minutes.

St John Ambulance said three other people at the address suffered minor to moderate injuries. The house had five smoke alarms but it is not known if they were working.

There are no suspicious circumstances behind the blaze, which is believed to have been caused by sparks or embers from the fireplace in the living room.

Auckland regional fire safety chief Murray Binning urged people to be aware of the dangers of heating sources in the winter months.

"People just need to be very mindful of the metre heater rule, keeping combustibles well away from heaters and keeping fire guards over open fireplaces."


SAFETY TIPS

Fire Service messages:

* Candles and oil burners can be dangerous - always keep them well away from flammable objects.

* Turn off electric blankets and gas heaters before getting into bed.

* Use fireguards in front of fireplaces and be careful when disposing of ashes as they may reignite if still warm.

* Always stay 1m from heaters and don't use them to dry clothes.

* Ensure all electrical appliances are in safe working order - replace frayed cords and broken plugs.

* Don't overload power points - use multi boxes with circuit breakers instead.