One dead after house fire in Dunedin, inquiry is underway

An inquiry is underway after a person died in a fire in the Dunedin suburb of Brockville.

Emergency services were called to Nutsford St in the suburb around midnight on Friday.

A Housing New Zealand property - which was one of four - was well alight when crews arrived.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews were called at 12.02am and the first unit arrived about six minutes later to "find one flat of four well ablaze".

Spokesman Riwai Grace said the blaze was "well involved" when the first appliance arrived.

CSI photograph the scene. Photo / ODT

A St John spokesman said two ambulances were sent to the scene, however, the only patient involved had died by the time paramedics arrived.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Andrew Norris said the victim lived alone.

The other three homes were evacuated due to smoke damage.

Mr Norris said a fire investigator would be at the property by 9am. He said they would have a briefing with police and other agencies before going to the site.

Police confirmed the death on Saturday morning and a process was underway to identity the person who died.

The other three homes have been evacuated due to smoke damage.

- additional reporting Otago Daily Times