Inmate started fatal cell fire

Press, 28 December 1988, Page 1

Inmate started fatal cell fire

PA Auckland The police say accelerants were used to start the cell fire at the Paremoremo maximum security prison on Monday evening in which a convicted murderer died. The North Shore police yesterday finished inquiries into the fire, and a prison officer said they were satisfied that no-one else was involved with the blaze. The prisoner who died was Tangi Tumuana Brown, aged 31, who was convicted on a charge of murder in June, 1986, in the High Court at Wellington.

The prison deputy superintendent, Mr Keith Hounslow, said an inquiry found the fire was lit by the inmate, who was the sole occupant. Brown had been a good inmate, Mr Hounslow said.

Twelve other prisoners were treated after the fire for minor smoke inhalation. The blaze was reported about 10.10 p.m. in the prison C block. By the time fire-fighters arrived at the burning cell Brown was already severely affected by smoke, and he never regained consciousness.