KEY POINTS:
Police are praising the actions of a man who valiantly tried to save the life of an elderly woman caught in a kitchen fire in the Central Otago town of Alexandra yesterday.
Ethel Watt, 86, died in the blaze at her Marslin St address just before 12pm.
Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw of Central Otago CIB said a serviceman had been working at the house and heard Mrs Watt call out at the same time as the smoke alarm was activated. The man went into the kitchen to find Mrs Watt's clothing on fire.
Mr Shaw said the man made "valiant attempts" to save her but was unable to do so.
He suffered burns to both hands and was treated at a local medical centre and released.
"The serviceman at the address has made an extraordinary attempt to save Mrs Watt and I cannot praise his efforts enough," Mr Shaw said.
The man was being supported by his family with assistance from Victim Support.
A joint police and fire investigation team were at the scene until yesterday evening, when Mrs Watt's body was removed from the house.
The scene would remain guarded overnight and a post mortem examination would be performed in Dunedin today, Mr Shaw said.
- NZPA
