Fatal house fire treated as suspicious

A house fire that killed a New Plymouth man last night is being treated as suspicious.

The 21-year-old died in the fire on Bulteel Street, near Pukekura Park, about 7.40pm.

Police would be thoroughly examining the scene today, with the blaze being treated as suspicious, New Plymouth police Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said.

"A number of occupants in the house at the time of the fire have been assisting police with their enquiries and will continue to do so throughout the day," he said.

The man's name was expected to be released later today.

As the house went up in flames, neighbours tried to restrain the man's flatmates from going in to rescue him.

One young woman screamed: "My brother's in there, my brother's in there," the Taranaki Daily News reported.

Neighbour Atil Shanker said he had to tell the young flatmates to not go in and rescue their mate as the flames swept through the house.

They were standing there and crying , Mr Shanker said.

"I said, move away from there. Ring 111 for help. You can't do anything. There were already big flames there."

The death had been referred to the coroner.

- NZPA