Hastings house fire kills woman

Investigations are underway this morning into the cause of a Hastings house fire in which an elderly woman died last night.

Phyliss Lincoln, 78, died at the scene of the fire in Titoki St.

Her husband George, 84, escaped the fire and was admitted to Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

Senior Sergeant Ross Smith of Hastings police told NZPA the house was under security and sealed off.

"We will be launching an investigation this morning, along with the fire department, to find out the exact cause and hopefully what went on there," he said.

Fire broke out in the house at 5.45pm yesterday.

It started in the kitchen and spread throughout the house, causing extensive damage, Mr Smith said.

A fire service spokesman said it was too soon to identify the cause of the fire but it was hoped that scene investigations this morning would shed more light on the incident.

- NZPA