Neighbours tried to save victim from Upper Hutt fire

Police and fire service investigators at work at the Hardham Crescent, Petone, flat in which a person died in a fire last night. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Neighbours tried to save the person who died after a fire in a Lower Hutt flat last night, a resident said.

Emergency services were called to a set of flats in Hardham Cres, Petone, about 6.10pm yesterday and firefighters found a body inside.

Senior Sergeant Quentin Ward said a scene guard had been in place overnight and investigations would continue today.

The body was still inside and investigators would work to determine its identity this morning.

"There's not even a preliminary idea of who it is but that'll form part of the inquiry today as to the identity and sex of the deceased."

Local residents said a man moved in a few weeks ago and lived alone in the property.

One said he "looked fragile" and estimated he was aged in his late 30s.

Another said neighbours tried to save him.Five crews fought the blaze, which broke out on the bottom level of the two-storey block, believed to be owned by Housing NZ.

There were reports of loud explosions from inside the building.