Body found in burnt Christchurch house

A body has been found at the earthquake-damaged central Christchurch property that burned overnight, police say.

Emergency services were called about 8.30pm to the Peterborough Street property, where the two-storey home was "well ablaze" when they arrived, said a southern fire communications spokesman.

Police said this morning that a body was located at the scene but the identity is not yet known.

The house was already known to police as a house used by vagrants as a shelter and had suffered earthquake damage.

An investigation is underway.

- nzherald.co.nz