A man killed in a controlled scrub burn-off near Arthur's Pass in the South Island was believed to have been overcome by smoke inhalation.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire in the Hurunui District about 3.40pm yesterday.
Police southern communications shift inspector Murray Hurst said the fire was on a rural property.
"It was a burn-off where it obviously got out of control and one male was killed.
"There were other people there with him who called it in."
When emergency staff arrived, the man was already dead, he said.
"I think he was overcome by smoke inhalation," Mr Hurst said.
