Probe into fatal North Shore house fire underway

Police investigating a fatal house fire on Auckland's North Shore last night have so far been unable to identify the deceased person.

One person died and another suffered moderate burns in the blaze at a Wairau Valley house, which was destroyed.

The Fire Service was called to the house at 7.24pm and arrived to find it well ablaze, with the deceased person inside.

A second person was found nearby suffering moderate burns and was taken to Middlemore Hospital.

Police had not been able to confirm the identity of the victim and were waiting to talk to the injured person, said Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby, of North Shore police.

"At this stage we haven't confirmed the identity of the deceased person and are making all efforts to do so and locate any next of kin,' Ms Libby said.

Police were conducting a forensic examination of the scene to establish the cause of the fire, she said.

Police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the blaze,

North Shore fire crews from Takapuna, Birkenhead, Albany and East Coast Bays attended the blaze.

- NZPA