Man dies in garden shed explosion north of Auckland

A man is dead after a garden shed exploded and burnt at Red Beach, on the Hibiscus Coast north of Auckland.

Firefighters were called shortly before 9am today by a neighbour, who said the shed at the back of the property had exploded and a man was inside.

When firefighters put the fire out they found the man's body inside the shed. It was understood the dead man was a retiree.

Fire safety officer Ray Coleman said it appeared to be a tragic accident.

There was an initial explosion which was followed by a series of smaller ones, he said.

There were fuels in the shed but Mr Coleman said it had yet to be determined what role they had played in the explosions and fire.

"It appears at this stage to be an accident but what that accident was we are trying to put together."

He ruled out the shed being a P lab.

- NZPA