Woman, 72, escapes Whangamatā house fire via bathroom window

January 29, 2024

A well-involved house fire in Whangamatā. (Source: Supplied)

A woman had a narrow escape when she was trapped inside a burning building in Whangāmata on Sunday night.

Police were called to the fire in a two-storey building on Hauturu Street shortly after 9pm.

Fire and Emergency also responded, with five crews on the scene, and extinguished the fire within the hour.

Police said the 72-year-old woman was trapped inside the house.

Members of the public heard her calls for help, and were able to help her escape through a bathroom window.

Police said a 66-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

He appeared in Hamilton District Court on Monday, charged with arson.

He is due to reappear in court again on Tuesday.

rnz.co.nz

New Zealand Crime and Justice Hamilton and Waikato

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