West Coast shed fire under investigation

Fox Glacier - West Coast, South Island. Photo / Supplied

Police and specialist fire investigators will continue their examination where a deadly fire gutted a shed on a remote property yesterday morning.

Human remains were found in the rubble of the ruined Westland dwelling yesterday.

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"Due to the intensity of the blaze the investigation is expected some time to complete," police said today.

"Identification of the deceased person will rely on forensic testing."

The Greymouth Star said the corrugated iron workshop and bach, halfway between Karangarua and Jacobs River, near Franz Joseph, was a "smouldering ruin" after the lethal blaze.

A south Westland man in his late 70s owned the property, the Greymouth Star reported. There were now fears for his safety.

The shed, which had a mezzanine living area, was destroyed by the time emergency services arrived.

The fire was first reported at about 3am yesterday at the roughly 600sq m shed, police said.