Fatal Otahuhu fire not suspicious - police

A fatal house fire at a South Auckland unit overnight appears not to be suspicious, police said today.

Firefighters found the body of a man inside the Otahuhu unit after bringing the blaze under control.

The body was found on the floor of the living area of the single-level one-bedroom property.

Police said the man had not been officially identified, but was believed to have been the person who lived there.

The unit, in High St, was in a complex of Housing Corporation flats.

Detectives and fire safety officers were investigating this morning.

The Fire Service was alerted about 11.21pm yesterday, shift manager Scott Osmond said.

When firefighters arrived, they found the unit well alight and were told someone was inside.

Ambulances were called to treat several elderly people suffering from smoke inhalation.

- NZPA