Flowers for fire victim

Flowers and cards were left at the gate to the home of the 32-year-old Wanganui mother who perished in the Durie Hill house fire on Tuesday afternoon.

A front room of the Maxwell St house was gutted and there was extensive damage to the remainder.

Detective Sergeant Philip Taylor said an investigation was in its early stages and the cause of the fire was still to be determined.

Mr Taylor said the coroner's requirement was to establish the cause of death of the woman and yesterday an autopsy was being carried out to establish how she died. Until that was completed, police were unable to confirm her identity.

The woman was the sole occupant of the house at the time.

It is understood the woman had three children, an 11-year-old boy and two girls, aged about 6 and 4.

An acquaintance of the woman, who knew her through their children going to the same school, said she "loved her children very much and was very proud of them. She would always try and go to school things they were in.

"She was quite quiet but very friendly."

News of the woman's death prompted inquiries from people on the Chronicle's Facebook page, wanting to offer assistance.

Kyley Filer posted that she was keen to donate and was also going around friends and family. Bobbie Fantham also volunteered some good quality children's clothes.

Others posted their expressions of sympathy to the family.

Whanganui police and the fire service were back inspecting the house yesterday and the property was being guarded by a security firm.

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the fire or noticed anything suspicious in the area at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Whanganui police on (06) 349 0600 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.