The fire is now out but a crew is remaining onsite to monitor the fire and dampen it down, with a fire investigator returning this morning.
A spokesperson for police said they were called around 12.45am to help Fire and Emergency NZ staff after a gas explosion was reported at the property on Motairehe Rd.
“A person at the address was located deceased.
“At this early stage, police are treating the fire as unexplained and will be working alongside Fenz investigators to determine the circumstances of the fire.”
Anyone with footage or information that could help is asked to call the 105 police phone service, referencing job number P057067862.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Fordham said she can’t say “too much” about the tragedy at this stage because of the investigation.
But she said she is really “gutted” at the tragic death and that this will be a reflection of how the wider Aotea community will be feeling.
Meanwhile last night two dozen firefighters also responded to a house fire in Auckland’s Ōrākei.
Firefighters were called around 12.30am to the fire in a multi-storey house on Brenton Place. The home was attached to other properties but the blaze was contained to one dwelling, Fire and Emergency northern shift manager Paul Radden said.
Police were called around 3.30am and helped Fenz with traffic managements and evacuations, a spokesperson said.
“Police staff set up a cordon around the affected area and evacuated residents of nearby addresses as a precaution.”
By 5.30am crews had left the scene but fire investigators would return this morning, Radden said.
Firefighters also responded to a shed fire on Ōrākei’s Kitemoana St before 1am this morning. Nobody was hurt but police said they were called around 5.50am and are investigating the cause of the fire.
Members of the public asked to provide any information via the 105 phone service, referencing job number P057067902.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
