Remote BOP fire victim named

Police have named an elderly man with restricted mobility who died after a house fire in the eastern Bay of Plenty this week.

He was Eddie Gundry Wirepa, 86.

Mr Wirepa was home alone when the fire broke out at his Whanarua Bay house, between Te Kaha and Waihau Bay, 107km northeast of Opotiki, about 3pm Monday.

The house was left completely gutted and close to collapse.

Mr Wirepa's body was removed from the house yesterday during the scene examination, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen said.

The fire was not suspicious but the exact cause was unknown, he said.

"These fatal fires are always heart wrenching for families and neighbours who witness the tragedy and in this case no one could have done more to prevent this fire and tragic death," he said.

- NZPA