A coroner's backing Fire and Emergency's public safety campaigns, following the deaths of a mother and son in Southland
A coroner's backing Fire and Emergency's public safety campaigns, following the deaths of a mother and son in Southland
14 October 2025
Kellyanne Kemble and her 11-year-old son died in a house fire at their Manapouri rental property, in July last year.
It was caused when a heater came into contact with flammable material - and investigators found there were no working smoke alarms.
Coroner Heather MacKenzie hasn't made any new recommendations - but highlighted the importance of existing messages.
She says Fire and Emergency provides appropriate information around the use of heaters and not having combustible materials close to them.
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