House fire claims brother and sister

UPDATE - Two siblings are dead after a fire in a bach near Motueka last night.

Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews told National Radio a 13-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl died in the blaze in Mariri at about 10.25pm.

Two adults, one believed to be the victims' grandmother, were taken to Nelson Hospital where they remain in a serious but stable condition.

A fire officer also has minor injuries.

Police and fire safety officers are conducting a scene examination.

Mr Andrews said police would remove the two bodies from the bach mid-afternoon.

- NZPA