Body found in burnt-out caravan

Police are investigating the fire and working to identify the person who died. Photo / Brittany Spencer, Nelson Live

A body was found inside a burnt out caravan after a fire broke out about 8pm in a campground in Nelson last night.

Police would be investigating the fire, a statement said, and would today work to identify the person who died, complete the scene examination and interview witnesses.

Flames consumed the caravan at Club Waimea in Nelson about 8pm.

Richmond fire chief Ralph Lonsdale told nelsonlive.co.nz the structure "went up like a rocket".

The Richmond volunteer brigade was nearby at their annual awards dinner but could see the smoke before the alarm was raised.

"We're over at the Waimea Old Boys clubrooms and we could see the black smoke and then all our pagers went and the siren went," Mr Lonsdale said.

The caravan went up "very, very fast", he said.

The campground is at the rear of a workingman's club and is known to house long-term residents.