Chch house fire treated as suspicious

Firefighters and police are treating a large blaze at a house in central Christchurch this morning as suspicious.

The two-storey unoccupied house on Worcester Boulevard, opposite the Arts Centre, was well ablaze when firefighters were called just before 4am, Fire Service area commander Dan Coward said today.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire with six fire crews and a ladder unit tackling the blaze at its height.

The cause of the fire was yet to be determined but was being treated as suspicious, Mr Coward said.

Another house fire, which claimed a man's life yesterday, is still being investigated.

Emergency services were called to the house on Bleak House Rd in Darfield shortly after 5am yesterday, but did not find the man's body until several hours later when the house was being inspected for hotspots.

Three other occupants of the house managed to escape.

Fire Service area commander Dan Coward said the fire was not being treated as suspicious and any connection with last week's massive earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks had been ruled out.

Police said the victim's next-of-kin had been informed but his name was not being released at this stage.

- NZPA