26 Aug 2017

Burning ceiling falls on people sleeping in Gisborne

8:18 am on 26 August 2017

An investigation is underway after a burning ceiling fell on people sleeping at a house in Gisborne early this morning.

Fire crews were called to the home in Kaiti, an outer suburb of Gisborne, about 5am.

Gisborne Fire Station.

Gisborne Fire Station. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Gisborne Fire station officer Barry Thomas said part of the burning ceiling fell on some people while they were sleeping on a couch.

He believed the fire might have been caused by a new electric-powered heating unit which was recently installed.

Mr Thomas said there were no smoke alarms in the home, but no one was injured.