Overview
- Emergency crews found a Kiama home well alight shortly before 9:30pm and later located the body of a person inside the property.
- Fire and Rescue NSW sent eight fire trucks and about 28 firefighters who contained the blaze but the house was extensively damaged.
- NSW Police have confirmed the death is under investigation, the person is yet to be formally identified, and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
- Authorities will compile a coronial report to establish the cause of the fire while local leaders and fire services have urged people to check smoke alarms and heating safety.
- The Kiama fatality is the second deadly house fire reported in the Illawarra in about a fortnight, increasing calls for free smoke alarm installs and targeted safety visits for at-risk residents.