House fire fatalities reach highest level in a decade

Friday 25 July 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Fri 25 Jul 2025, 5:49pm

In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand reports that 17 people died in avoidable house fires over the past year. This is the highest number of fatalities in ten years, with officials suggesting the cost of living may be a contributing factor.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZFri 25 Jul 2025, 1:44pm

   Surge in house fire deaths may be tied to cost of living (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesFri 25 Jul 2025, 1:53pm

   Cost of living possible reason for rise in house fires: Fenz (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsFri 25 Jul 2025, 4:29pm

   Seventeen deaths: Fatal house fires 'worst in 10 years' (opens in new tab)

4. NZ HeraldFri 25 Jul 2025, 5:49pm

   Surge in house fire deaths blamed on alternative heating methods (opens in new tab)