Tragic Blaze: Mother and Son Killed by Heater Fire

A tragic house fire in Manapouri, Southland, that claimed the lives of a mother and her 11-year-old son was likely caused by a heater igniting bedding, according to Coroner Heather McKenzie. Reported by RNZ

Kellyanne Kemble, 47, and her son, Kelly Kerr, died when a blaze tore through their View Street home in the early hours of July 4, 2024. Investigators later determined the fire began in the boy’s bedroom, where an industrial heater was in use.

There were no working smoke alarms in the house at the time.

Coroner McKenzie noted that temperatures had fallen below freezing that night, reaching -0.1°C, and the home was known to be difficult to keep warm. The family often relied on heaters and a wood burner, sometimes leaving the burner’s door open to circulate heat.

The property also had a storeroom containing flammable materials such as fuels, tools, gas cylinders, and paint.

Kemble and her son both died of smoke inhalation, the Coroner found. Kemble’s underlying heart disease likely hastened her death.

Kemble’s partner, Jason Hoggard, was away working on a charter boat at the time. The couple typically slept in the lounge, while Kelly had his own bedroom.

Neighbours reported hearing explosions and shouting around 3:35 a.m., before seeing flames engulfing the single-storey house. Volunteer fire brigades from Manapouri and Te Anau responded but were unable to save the home.

“Kellyanne was found in the lounge and Kelly was found in his bedroom under the bed,” McKenzie said. “It cannot be known whether Kelly was sleeping there or attempting to escape and thought it to be a safe place.”

Fire and Emergency investigators identified four possible ignition causes: a fault in the heater, overheating of its plug or cable, the heater igniting bedding, or combustible materials falling onto it. Radiant heat also played a key role in spreading the blaze.

Investigators found no signs of LPG involvement or evidence that the fire began near the wood burner, despite the family’s common practice of leaving its door open. Wind direction and ventilation further fuelled the flames.

The home had only one viable exit, as other routes were blocked, the Coroner noted.

While McKenzie made no formal recommendations, she stressed the importance of Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s fire safety guidance — particularly the use of smoke alarms and ensuring flammable items are kept clear of heaters.

She concluded there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.