Whangamata house fire death surprises residents

The death of a woman in a Whangamata house fire has surprised residents who were unaware of the blaze until fire appliances arrived.

Fire investigators were still scouring the house for clues to the cause of fire last night.

Police were yet to release the name of the dead woman, understood to be related to the owners of the Lockwood holiday home, on Whangamata's The Drive.

It is understood a man visiting a neighbouring property, called emergency services after noticing smoke billowing from one of the windows.

A Whangamata businessman, who did not want to be named, was one of the first on the scene of the fire around 11am yesterday.

He said a man visiting a neighbouring property had been frantically searching the property to ensure all occupants were safe, when he arrived.

"He needed to be treated by ambulance staff afterwards, he was almost overwhelmed by smoke."

The man said smoke in the property was thick, but it did not take long to realise that the sole remaining occupant of the house was dead.

"We went over from across the road, the mother and daughter were outside and very distraught. They couldn't find the mum. I went into the house but there was nothing I could do.

"There was a lot of smoke, there were no flames that were visible. It was just smoke. Lots of smoke. It wasn't a situation were anyone could be helped at that point.

"I held my breath before I went in. I wasn't in the house for very long. It was a tragic experience, the family were there, it was very shocking for them."

Neighbour Wendy Sharpe, said the most in the street had no clue of the fire until fire appliances arrived.

However the sight of firemen heading into the house wearing oxygen-masks highlighted the seriousness of the situation.

"Once they got in and opened the windows, that's when all the smoke came out. There was no flames."

She the building suffered little external damage, and even after the fire had been doused there was little evidence the building had ensured a blaze.

"The street is very, very quiet, everybody is in shock."