Emergency services were called to a house fire on Whitehall Street in the Christchurch suburb of Mairehau at approximately 8.25pm on Thursday 14 May. By the time crews arrived, the fire had taken hold of the property and multiple occupants were unaccounted for.

Police confirmed on the night that one person had died at the scene and one was in a critical condition, with a further three people sustaining moderate to serious injuries and two with minor injuries. Subsequent updates confirmed the child who died was a three-year-old girl. Four other children — aged between 10 weeks and five years old and all siblings of the deceased — were admitted to hospital.

The children's 23-year-old mother was taken to hospital in a critical condition. She was not expected to survive, and police confirmed on 15 May that she had died from her injuries. Three of the four surviving children were discharged from hospital and placed in the care of family members. A two-year-old girl remained in hospital in a stable condition with moderate injuries.

The tragedy drew an outpouring of community support, with neighbours and members of the public rallying around the surviving family in the days that followed. The family asked for privacy as they grieved.

In a final update released on 29 May, Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand confirmed that the investigation had determined the fire was not suspicious. Examinations showed the fire originated in one of the bedrooms. An electrical fault was considered as a possible cause but ruled out.

The matter has been referred to the Coroner. No criminal proceedings are being considered. Both agencies extended their deepest sympathies to the whānau and urged all New Zealand households to regularly check that smoke alarms are installed and functioning.

"This fire was heartbreaking and a tragedy for the family. Police and FENZ extend their deepest sympathies to the whānau." — Det. Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan, Canterbury Police