Fatal fire, Whakatane

The man that died in a fatal house fire in Wybo Veldman Place, Whakatane at approximately 1.10am on Wednesday 24 November 2010 was 83 year old Robert Eric HEASLIP.

A neighbour noticed the fire and alerted emergencies services.  Mr Heaslip was rescued from the burning house but efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

There appears to be no suspicious circumstances, though enquiries are continuing to confirm the cause of the fire.

The matter has been referred to the coroner.