Ashburton house fire: One dead, investigation under way

• Police confirmed one person died in a fire that damaged a Glassey Drive home in Ashburton.
• About 25 firefighters, with police and ambulance, extinguished the blaze.
• Investigators found a body in the debris; inquiries into the fire’s cause are ongoing.

By RNZ

Police have confirmed that a person died in a fire that significantly damaged a Glassey Drive home overnight in Ashburton.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls about the blaze at 12.45am.

About 25 firefighters were on the ground extinguishing the blaze, they also had assistance from police and ambulance.

Firefighters searched the property, but earlier could not confirm if all residents were accounted for. Investigators returned to the scene on Sunday morning and found a body in the debris.

At this time, there are no other people unaccounted for.

Inquiries into the cause of the fire are continuing.

- RNZ