Victim of city motel fire dies in hospital
A man has died after sustaining critical injuries in a motel fire in Christchurch.
The 44-year-old man, who police named as Jason Edward Sillick, was pulled from a room at Central City Motel Apartments on Barbadoes St about 6.45am on June 14.
Sillick suffered ‘‘life-threatening’’ injuries and was taken to Christchurch Hospital where he died on June 16, two days after the blaze, Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Stewart said.
‘‘His death has been referred to the coroner and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to his death,’’ Stewart said.
The Australian national worked in the Christchurch building industry for several years.
His wife, Sharryn Sillick, said he was a ‘‘beloved husband and father of two children’’.
‘‘We are all very upset as you can imagine,’’ she said.
Family came over from Australia to be with Sillick last week, Stewart said.
Motel guests had tried to douse the flames using a hose and fire extinguisher.
‘‘We all got downstairs and we noticed that there was a bit of a fire in room 10. It was on the inside of the room . . . right there at the window,’’ one previously said.
The window broke and someone was able to get a fire hose inside, but the flames were too fierce, he said.
Firefighters believed the unit was empty until they gained access. Guests then watched in horror as a man was dragged from the unit.
A funeral would be held for Sillick at Harewood Crematorium Chapel today at 10.30am.