Toddler Sapphire-Hope Couch, who died in a Christchurch house fire which also killed her mother, is being remembered for her ‘‘infectious smile that could light up any room’’. The three-and-a-half-year-old, known as Sapphy, and her 23-year-old mother Rose-Maree Couch were killed in the fire on Whitehall St in Mairehau on Thursday. Sapphy died at the scene, while her mother was taken to hospital and succumbed to her injuries the next day. Two adults and five children aged between 10 weeks and five years old were
in the house when it went up in flames on Thursday evening. The pair can now be named after the family issued a statement to the Otago Daily Times remembering their loved ones and thanking those who helped. Sapphy was deeply loved by her family and had an ‘‘infectious smile that could light up any room,’’ the statement said. ‘‘She was full of personality, definitely the boss among her siblings, and had so much sass.’’ The pre-schooler loved cuddles with her parents and sneaking treats
from the chocolate stash. Speaking to the ODT yesterday, Miss Couch’s sister (Sapphy’s aunt) said Sapphy loved running around and riding in a toy electric car. ‘‘She was really starting to get into like all her princess dresses, just really girly stuff,’’ she said. Donate to the family’s Givealittle Miss Couch died peacefully surrounded by her family. ‘‘She had a heart of gold and was always there to offer support, kindness, or a listening ear to anyone in need,’’ the family said. ‘‘Gentle and quiet
by nature, she was also fiercely protective of her children and devoted to those she loved.’’ Miss Couch’s sister described the fulltime mum as a homebody who liked music and dancing around with the kids. It had been an incredibly difficult time for the whānau who were still coming to terms with the ‘‘sudden and devastating loss’’. ‘‘Both Rose-Maree and Sapphy meant everything to our family and to the many people whose lives they touched,’’ they said. Miss Couch’s partner Jamie was devastated to have
lost his partner and daughter. Shane, the father of two of the children, was “profoundly saddened” his children had lost their mother and sibling, and Rose’s parents Shiree and Neville were also facing the ‘‘heartbreaking loss’’ of their precious daughter and granddaughter. ‘‘This has been an incredibly difficult time for our whānau and we are still coming to terms with this sudden and devastating loss,’’ the family said. The cause of the fire was still being investigated, but it was not being treated as suspicious.
A Givealittle page has raised more than $64,000 and the family thanked everyone who donated. These funds would be used to cover funeral costs, and remaining money would be placed into a trust for the four surviving children to support their future. ‘‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has been part of Rose-Maree and Sapphy’s lives, and to everyone who has supported us in any way, whether through actions, donations, or messages,’’ the family said. They also extended their thanks
to emergency services, ICU teams, and the Children’s High Dependency Unit and the Christchurch Methodist Mission . The family was aware of people arranging memorials for Rose and Sapphy and clarified they had not been organised by whānau. ‘‘This is really beautiful; however we as a family have not arranged any memorials. We are still in the process of arranging the funeral, and would like our privacy respected,’’ they said. Hero dad braves blaze to rescue children The father of two of the children, Shane
Hall, was in the house the night of the fire and rescued the children inside after he heard screaming. He braved the blaze to carry the children out of the house and only stopped when emergency services told him he could not go in any more. Mr Hall was taken to hospital after the blaze and suffered burns to his head, soles of his feet and hands. He was ‘‘profoundly saddened’’ that his children have lost their mother and sibling, the family said. They thought
his bravery on the night was heroic. ‘‘Words cannot truly express how grateful we are. In our eyes you are a hero,’’ they said. ‘‘Please know how deeply we love and appreciate you.’’ The surviving children were all out of hospital in the care of their family in Christchurch. A two-year-old still required ongoing treatment for the burns she suffered.
Mairehau fire, Whitehall St, Sapphire-Hope Couch, Sapphy, Rose-Maree Couch, Shane Hall, Christchurch