Fatal fire in Burnham: Harrowing messages left at crime scene after teen’s death

Flowers and tributes have been left for the teenage girl who died in a fatal house fire on the edge of Burnham Military Camp on Wednesday.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Marvin, 16, died after a fire destroyed the property on Toanui St, just outside the army barracks south of Christchurch, in the early hours of the morning.

Three other people were injured in the fire and taken to hospital.

The fatal fire is under investigation, but at this stage authorities do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.

Lizzy attended Rolleston College, not far from Burnham, as a Year 12 student.

Attempts to contact the girl’s mother, who is the Herald confirmed he lived at the Toanui St address have not been successful.

Flowers and handwritten messages were left at the ruins of the house today, some from family members.

According to social media posts, Lizzy loved animals, especially horses.

A Givealittle page has been set up to help support Lizzy’s family.

To date, more than $3,900 has been donated.

“A special family has suffered a tragic loss and in the spirit of community we are asking anyone who can donate to help them. No matter how small the donation, it all adds up to making a difference in their lives,” said the page, set up by an employee at a local gas station.

“My mother has always supported her family in every way possible and has been involved in many sporting and school events. She can be counted on to fight for her community and now it’s our turn to support her.

“Many of her family, colleagues, neighbours, friends and the wider community have all been affected by this loss, so we ask you all to take care of yourselves as there is a long way to go in the grieving and healing process.

“Burnham Challenge has set this up so that others can also make a difference.”

The residential block destroyed in the fire is owned by the armed forces, but is outside the perimeter of the military camp.

Some properties are rented to civilian residents through commercial property managers, the NZDF said in a written statement.

“Our thoughts are with the whānau who have lost a family member, and with everyone affected by (the) fire,” said Major Julie Richardson, Burnham camp commander.

When the alarm was raised at 2.21am on Wednesday, firefighters from Rolleston station – located 8.3km from Toanui St – were the first to arrive.

This was because Burnham’s military fire station, located within the camp, was unmanned at the time.

Since January, the military fire station has been operating at reduced capacity, with NZDF personnel providing coverage between 8am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

“This is partly due to the need to provide respite for staff, and low emergency responder staffing levels,” the NZDF said in a written statement.

“The decision to operate with reduced coverage was consulted and supported by the fire and emergency area commanders.

“The Memorandum of Understanding between the NZDF and Fire and Emergency ensures that Fire and Emergency can provide coverage during periods of reduced NZDF coverage, as was the case on Wednesday morning.”

To donate to the Givealittle page set up for the family Click here.