A second individual has passed away following their rescue from a house fire in Ōtaki, Kāpiti Coast.
The fire occurred Sunday night at a property on State Highway 1, just north of the town. The fire was reported by firefighters who found a bedroom alight.
Evey Keefe-Torea, a whānau member, announced the deaths of her uncle and aunty. Her uncle, Earl Robert Stuart, died on Monday, and her aunty, Ngamata-A-Tumu Stuart, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family.
Fire and Emergency crews pulled both occupants out of the house and took them to the hospital.
Police confirmed one person had died, while the other was in a critical condition.
Kāpiti mayor Janet Holborow expressed the community’s deep sadness and the need to support the affected whānau.
She commended the firefighters, who quickly pulled the pair out of the burning house.
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