Fatal house fire involving a light fitting in the ceiling space

Energy type:

Electricity

Event summary:

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) notified WorkSafe Energy Safety of a fatal house fire in Auckland. The incident was reported 12 days after the fire occurred.

Accident ID:

180622-04

Accident date:

10 June 2018

Site:

Domestic

Environment:

Building

Voltage:

230

Equipment:

Light fitting

Accident type:

Fire

Casualty:

Fatality

Injury:

Asphyxiation, toxicity

Property damage level:

Extended to multiple rooms

Outcome of investigation:

The fatal fire was investigated by FENZ and an electrical investigator acting for the New Zealand Police. The associated reports, have not yet been made available to WorkSafe Energy Safety for review. However the fire was initially determined to have started in the ceiling space, indicating it was within close proximity to a light fitting. Without any other information contrary to this, WorkSafe Energy Safety consider that the fire was likely caused by a light fitting or by faulty installation wiring to the light fitting. This investigation was closed on that basis.