Child who died in Christchurch fire was 3-years-old, mother in critical condition
· RNZThe child who died in a house fire in Christchurch on Thursday night was a three-year-old girl.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan says her 23-year-old mother is in a critical condition in hospital and is not expected to survive her injuries.
Four other children, siblings aged between 10 weeks and five-years-old, were admitted to hospital but three have since been discharged into the care of family.
A two-year-old girl remains in hospital is in a stable condition and has moderate injuries.
Emergency services were first called at 8.25pm on Thursday with cordons in place on Whitehall Street and Hills Road.
"This is a heartbreaking tragedy for the whānau, and police extend our deepest sympathies as they navigate this devastating time," Carolan said.
The fire is not being treated as suspicious.
Neighbours have described the chaos as they rushed to help the family.
One neighbour said a man from the house banged on his door, asking for help.
He and his wife then gathered three of the children from the berm - a baby and two young children - and kept them at their house until ambulance staff arrived.
Other neighbours described big flames leaping from the house at the height of the blaze and said the quiet street resembled a "war scene" as people hurried to help the family involved.
They said they were shocked and heartbroken by the child's death.
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