Man, 63, dies in house fire

File photo / NZ Herald

A 63-year-old man died in a fire this morning despite his family's efforts to save him from the burning house, in northern Hawke's Bay.

One of five occupants of the house north of Wairoa awoke to find the lounge ablaze about 1am.

He was able to wake his partner and two children and evacuate them from the house, but could not get through the flames to save his partner's father, Senior Sergeant Tony Bates of Wairoa police said.

The family went to a neighbour's house to call the Fire Service and returned to the house to try to save the remaining man.

Firefighters found the man dead in his bedroom.

Crews from three fire engines and a tanker had the fire under control by about 2.40am, Fire Service central communications shift manager Tim Rees said.

A crew returned to the scene later this morning to dampen down hot spots after the fire flared up again.

Police and fire safety officers from Hastings would examine the scene today to establish the cause of the fire.

It was not believed to be suspicious at this stage.

- NZPA