Fatal fire: One dead in blaze at boarding house in New Brighton, Christchurch

An investigation is underway into a fatal boarding house fire in New Brighton. Photo / Amber Allott

One person has died after a raging fire burned down a boarding house in a beachside Christchurch suburb.

Emergency services were called to Shaw Ave in New Brighton at 5.45am today.

Police said they were still at the scene and had cordons around the property.

"A scene examination will be conducted and police and Fire and Emergency will investigate the circumstances," police said.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman earlier said the single-storey house was well ablaze when they arrived.

He said they had three crews on the scene - and had been able to contain the fire.