According to the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, on February 20, New Zealand** reported that a Chinese citizen who came to New Zealand's South Island for tourism died due to a fire.
Our embassy attaches great importance to this matter and is assisting the families of the victims in dealing with the aftermath. We express our deep condolences to the victims and our sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
Here, our embassy once again reminds visitors to New China that they must improve their safety awareness and ensure their personal safety.
At around 4 a.m. local time in New Zealand on Tuesday (February 20), emergency services were received on Blue Spur Road near Hokitika on the west coast of New Zealand**. According to the post-mortem investigation of an Airbnb (Airbnb)** located here, a Chinese female tourist died in the fire, while her companion escaped the fire.
The B&B is a discarded bus and wooden house that costs $128 per night, or almost 920 RMB, on Airbnb. So far, this B&B has 16 reviews, all of which are five-star reviews. Described as an "animal lover's paradise", this is an untouched house with private hot showers, eco-toilets, log burners, barbecue grills and gas stoves for cooking.
In view of the cold and humid climate of the West Coast, the B&B has prepared a large amount of firewood, which is stacked in the space on the side of the B&B's wooden house. And these firewoods may be one of the important reasons for the fire in the homestay.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Helen Rush, the mayor of Westland, where the area is located, called the woman's death "incredibly sad." "Losing a loved one is never easy, especially when I think they are on the other side of the world, so I offer my condolences to the family of the deceased," Rush told the woman's family. ”
At the same time, Rush also pointed out that the companion who survived was helped and cared for by the local **.
Judging from some subsequent circumstances, the cause of this tragedy may also be due to the inconvenience of rescue. The chief of the Hokitika fire brigade said that it was difficult to get water for the property, so a fire truck from other places was needed to cooperate with local firefighters. The fire chief also said that it only takes eight minutes to drive from Hokitika to the vicinity of the property, but it is necessary to pass through a road surrounded by bushes and drive on a gravel road, which greatly slows down the rescue.
The fire chief did not disclose the cause of the fire, and it is reported that it is still under investigation. After the incident, the local **, fire and emergency departments have carried out their work, and they are still continuing to investigate the specific situation of this ** disaster.
Coincidentally, the last tenant who lived here was also from China, a couple from Yunnan. They were shocked to learn that a tourist, also from China, died in the fire at the homestay.
The couple, who asked not to be named, said the landlord showed them how to use a log burner and a gas stove, but they didn't think it was reliable and it wasn't too cold at the time.
According to the couple, the B&B has only undergone some simple renovations.
Another Chinese tourist who recently stayed at the B&B said it felt "strange" to lie in a room converted from a bus. However, they still recommend this B&B to their friends who love animals. Another netizen who has stayed in the house said that this homestay is a little cold at night, but fortunately there is a stove to keep warm.
Hokitika is a small town on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, 40 kilometres south of Greymouth, and is the largest town in Westland, with a population of about 3,100 people.
The B&B belongs to Riley and Pam, who also run a swimming school. After the fire, the couple posted on the school's social ** that swimming lessons were temporarily canceled due to family incidents. While running the B&B, they have also created a resort project on the edge of the B&B with animals that guests can feed and interact with, including peacocks, chickens, goats, pigs, ponies, and tortoises.
New Zealand** contacted the couple, but they declined to comment on the incident.
*: Metropolis Express.