The woman died after getting into a bath filled with scalding hot water. Ms Ingham was rushed to hospital with burns on her armpit and back covering 16% of her body. By law, apartment block hot water systems are meant to keep water above 60ºC to prevent bacterial build-up. Temperature control devices mix this hot water with cold, ensuring that what flows out of taps within a home does not exceed 50ºC. In September 2022, another plumbing company was retained to install temperature control devices in the building.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 12, 2026 02:57 UTC