One dead in west Auckland house fire

Police will carry out a scene examination with Fire Safety investigators at a West Auckland flat where a man died tonight.

The man has not yet been named.

"It is not known at this stage whether his death was a direct result of the fire or whether another factor such as a fall or medical condition has caused it," police said in a statement tonight.

A young boy and a man aged in his twenties were both taken to Waitakere Hospital in a moderate condition.

The scene will be guarded overnight and when there is sufficient daylight, Waitakere CIB officers will conduct a scene examination with the Fire Service.

No further information is expected to be released tonight.

Earlier, residents told the Herald said they saw medical staff working on a man for sometime outside the property.

"It was sad to see. They were working on him for a while."

The neighbours said they understood that the man, in his 60s, had been trying to get back into the house to get a number of children out.

"He was trying to get to his moko," a woman who did not want to be named said.

Police spoke to media, with Auckland Metro Police's Inspector Lou Alofa confirming the death.

"There's been a house fire at this address here in Swanson Road. At the time of the fire, there were quite a number of occupants in the address including mum, dad, brothers and children."

Up to 10 people are thought to have been inside at the time, Mr Alofa said.

At the scene, family members huddled together in comfort.

Two women could be seen standing together hugging and crying.

Several police cars and one fire truck remained at the property tonight.

Part of Swanson Rd is cordoned off by police and emergency services with vehicles being diverted down a side street.

The fire was only in one of the flats.