Elderly woman dies in Tokoroa house fire | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

An 83-year-old woman has died in a house fire that took two fire appliances and 10 firefighters half an hour to bring under control.

The house fire in Tieke Pl, Tokoroa, began 4.30am yesterday. Police cordoned off the house yesterday morning.

Tokoroa Fire Service deputy chief fire officer Dave Morris said police and the Fire Service were still investigating what caused the fire.

"When we arrived, the house was totally engulfed in flames," he said.

"It was very intense. Later on, part of the roof collapsed."

It took two fire appliances and 10 firefighters about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

Mr Morris said the severity of the fire had prevented the woman from escaping the house.

Two other occupants managed to escape unhurt, Mr Morris said.

The two people who escaped the blaze were in their late 50s or early 60s, he said.

Tokoroa police Senior Sergeant Lincoln Sycamore said the name of the deceased would be released once her next of kin had been informed.

He said that could take some time, as members of the family lived overseas.