Auckland fire death no longer suspicious

Police are no longer treating as suspicious the death of a 59-year-old man found by firefighters at the back of a house in Auckland.

Firefighters were called to a bush fire in Mt Albert about 6.30am today and found the body as they fought the fire.

Police initially treated his death as "unexplained" but said after a post mortem examination they did not believe his death was suspicious.

The man had not been formally identified but relatives had been told.

Earlier today Fire Communications Shift Manager Phil Norris told Newstalk ZB a neighbour had reported hearing a bang and a scream before firefighters arrived at the scene.

- NZPA