The woman who died in a house fire in Western Australia has been identified as a young mother of four as a murder investigation is launched.
Erica Hay, 30, was discovered in the back bedroom of a house on Currie Street, Warnbro, in Perth’s southern suburbs in around 1am on Friday morning.
A 35-year-old man and a three-year-old girl escaped from the home and were taken to Rockingham Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
WA Police Acting Detective Superintendent Dave Gorton said Hay’s death was being treated “like a murder”. Western Australia reported.
“The death is considered suspicious at this time,” he said.
Erica Hay, 30, was discovered in the back bedroom of a house on Currie Street, Warnbro, in Perth’s southern suburbs, at around 1am on Friday (pictured).
A 35-year-old man and a three-year-old girl escaped from the house (pictured) and were taken to Rockingham Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
The man who escaped the fire, who police said was known to Ms Hay, is assisting police with their inquiries.
No charges have yet been filed.
“There is no risk to the public, but the scene at the house was ‘very confronting’ for the paramedics and police responding to the fire,” Gorton said.
“I think for the first responders and the other emergency services, it was a very confrontational scene.”
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of Ms. Hay’s death.
“We have been in contact with forensic pathologists and are still awaiting information regarding the cause of death,” Gorton said.
The boy remains stable while the man has been released from hospital.
Police forensic work focused on the home’s backyard on Friday, and an officer was seen placing a red Bic lighter in an evidence bag.
A covered police marquee was also installed in the backyard.
The West reported that police fire squad officers left the house around 3 p.m. while forensics remained on the scene.