Fatal sleepout fire no longer suspicious - police

File photo / NZ Herald

A sleepout fire that claimed the life of a North Canterbury father-of-three is no longer being treated as suspicious.

Myles Barry Kirkwood, 45, was found dead shortly after 9am on Sunday at his Leithfield Beach property

A Kowai Street neighbour had seen smoke and called emergency services.

Firefighters rushed to the scene but Mr Kirkwood, a local builder, was found dead in the sleepout at the back of the garage.

Police initially treated it as suspicious, but it's now believed an electrical appliance could have sparked the blaze.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted tomorrow.