KEY POINTS:
A pensioner is dead after a faulty fridge exploded, engulfing her South Auckland flat in flames.
The body of Freda Birch was found in the bedroom of her Papakura unit after the 28-year-old appliance sparked a massive fireball though the house early yesterday morning.
The pensioner, who turned 91 last Sunday, succumbed to smoke inhalation after the blast blew open her garage door, shattered windows and destroyed the kitchen.
The Fire Service is urging people to have fridges checked by a professional if they have any concerns.
Neighbours on the Great South Rd cul-de-sac, known as Kauri Circle because of the large tree in the driveway, were shocked by the death.
The close-knit community had thrown a birthday party for Freda last weekend.
Reen Ruddle had known her since they moved into the area within a week of each other in 1980.
She had gone to get her morning paper when she saw the fire take hold.
"Suddenly flames came up from the kitchen sink and I thought 'what the heck is Freda burning in her kitchen sink at half-past-five in the morning?'
"The glass windows had gone all red and then they started breaking.
"I looked up and there was smoke going up to the sky."
Even after firefighters arrived, Ruddle thought her longtime friend was okay, but then an ambulance arrived soon after 6am and she was told Freda had died.
The death was a double blow to Ruddle, who lost her daughter to an undiagnosed brain tumour on the same date 24 years ago.
Fire inspectors were examining the electricity-powered fridge yesterday but the appliance was virtually unrecognisable after the blaze.
The kitchen was a charred wreck and the smell of burning was prominent hours after the blaze.
Sister-in-law Joan Riley said she got an early morning phone call alerting her to the death and asking her to identify the body.
"It's been a terrible day, I don't want another one like it," she said.
Senior Station Officer Mike McEnaney said he thought the fire was caused by small sparks jumping between squashed up wires.
They would have melted the plastic coating around and started a fire in the confined space between the fridge and the wall.
McEnaney said fridges have a long life but should be checked by an electrician if there are any concerns.
He said Freda's house was fitted with a working smoke alarm but it appeared she tried to leave her bedroom and was overcome by smoke.
"It was just the danger and the tragic effects of the slow build-up of flame."
After dousing the blaze, firefighters checked fridges and smoke alarms in neighbouring properties.
Mark Wogan, operations manager at government agency Energy Safety, said householders should take the issue seriously and call in professionals if needed.
"Electricity and gas need to be respected by people and the appliances need to be serviced, just like your car," he said.
Standards New Zealand chief operating officer Grant Thomas said commercial operators had to have electrical appliances checked, but not homeowners. Any law change could be expensive.
