Kaitāia sudden death: Person found dead after grass fire in Far North township

A person has been found dead following a grass fire in the Far North township of Kaitāia.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said they received a call to a grass fire “endangering a structure” on Snelgar Rd in Kaitāia at about 4.30pm.

Police confirmed a neighbour found a person following the fire and alerted police.

“The death is not believed to be suspicious, and inquiries are ongoing,” police said.

“The victim was not in the area of the fire when they died, and it appears they have died as a result of a pre-existing medical condition.”

Fire and Emergency said the fire was mostly out upon arrival, but two fire trucks and a water tanker remained at the scene at 5.30pm extinguishing the blaze.

The spokesman referred all other questions to police.