Photo: Supplied
A Christchurch house fire earlier this month which claimed the life of a three-year-old girl and her mother began in one of the bedrooms, fire investigators say.
Sapphire-Hope Couch, three, died after fire tore through a Whitehall Street home on 14 May. Her mother Rose-Maree Couch died in hospital the following day, surrounded by her family.
“Investigations indicate the fire originated in one of the bedrooms,” Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said on Friday, following an investigation involving Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and police.
“An electrical fault was considered but has been ruled out as a contributing factor.”
The deaths had been referred to the coroner, Carolan said, calling it a “heartbreaking” tragedy. No charges were being considered at this stage.
“Police and FENZ are reminding the public of the importance of working smoke alarms and urge all households to regularly check that their alarms are installed and functioning properly.”
Couch’s four other young children sustained injuries in the blaze.
Photo: RNZ / Louis Dunham
The family, which has requested privacy, last week issued a statement describing their immense loss and thanking Shane Hall, the father of two of the surviving children, who “risked his own life and bravely rescued all four children from the house, bringing them to safety”.
“Words cannot truly express how grateful we are. In our eyes you are a hero. Please know how deeply we love and appreciate you and that we will always stand beside you and support you through this time.”
They thanked emergency services for doing what they could.
“Sapphy (Sapphire-Hope) had an infectious smile that could light up any room. She was full of personality, definitely the boss among her siblings, and had so much sass. She loved spending one-on-one time with her parents, especially cuddles and sneaking treats from the chocolate stash.
“Rose had a heart of gold and was always there to offer support, kindness, or a listening ear to anyone in need. Gentle and quiet by nature, she was also fiercely protective of her children and devoted to those she loved.
“Rose-Maree and Sapphy meant everything to our family and to the many people whose lives they touched. Jamie is devastated to have lost his partner and daughter that he loved so deeply. Shane is profoundly saddened that his children have lost their mother and sibling, and Rose’s parents Shiree and Neville are also facing the heartbreaking loss of their precious daughter and granddaughter.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our whānau and we are still coming to terms with this sudden and devastating loss.”
Funds raised via a Givealittle page were being used to pay for the funerals, and start a trust to support the surviving children.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.