Teen dies in suspicious house fire

Firefighters who arrived at a Christchurch house after reports of a fire found the body of a woman inside. Photo / Simon Baker

The body of a teenage girl was found in a burning house in Christchurch this afternoon.

Police believe the blaze was deliberately lit.

The Fire Service received "multiple calls''about the fire on Barrington St, Somerfield, at about 1.30pm.

Detective Inspector Virginia Le Bas said the teenage girl's body was found inside the house and there was no one else at the property.

Her identity will not be released until next of kin have been notified.

A post mortem examination is expected to carried out tomorrow.

Ms Le Bas said police were interested to hear from anyone who may have seen unusual activity near the southern end of Barrington St this morning or early afternoon.