“Sadly, Fenz [Fire and Emergency] and police investigators yesterday afternoon located the deceased person inside the house,” he said.
A scene guard remains in place at the house as investigators continue work to determine the circumstances of the fire.
Work is also underway to formally identify the deceased person and establish the circumstances of their death.
Forlong said while police are in the early stages of the investigation, initial inquiries suggest there may be a connection between the fire and a fatal crash that occurred in Tangiwai on Thursday evening.
One person died in the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 49, which emergency services were notified of about 6.45pm.
While that person is also yet to be formally identified, the vehicle involved is believed to be connected to the address where the fire occurred.
“Residents in the Rangataua area may notice an increased police presence in the community as we continue to make inquiries into the circumstances of these two incidents, to establish exactly what has occurred,” he said.
Police are encouraging anyone who has information they think may assist inquiries to report it via 105, quoting file number 260417/7386.
