Mother killed in Whanganui house fire

A mother of three is dead after a house fire in Whanganui this afternoon.

Whanganui police are investigating after a 32-year-old-woman died when a Maxwell Ave house went up in flames about 1pm.

A neighbour who alerted the fire brigade said she saw smoke coming from a bedroom window and the house was soon engulfed by flames.‘

‘As soon as I got off the phone to the fire brigade, the windows started breaking and it was all over very quickly,’’ she said.

Police said the woman was the only person in the house at the time and were investigating.

The Fire Service was assisting the investigation.

Police said the woman had a partner and three children. Her name would not be released until next of kin had been informed.

Whanganui police were appealing to the public for any information in relation to the fire, or any suspicious behaviour that may have been witnessed in the area at that time.

Anyone with information should the Whanganui Police Station on 06 349 0600 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111. 

- © Fairfax NZ News