Forensics at scene of fatal Taupo district house fire

Emergency services were called to the property on SH5 in Rangitaiki at 2.49 this morning. Photo / Taupo &Turangi Weekender

Forensic work continues today at the scene of a house fire in the Taupo District, which has now claimed three lives.

A baby and a woman died in the fire early yesterday, at a dairy farm in the settlement of Rangitaiki.

A man who was also caught in the fire died in Waikato Hospital yesterday afternoon.

Police and Victim Support are helping members of the family.

Police say their thoughts and the thoughts of the community, are with the loved ones of the people who died during this difficult time.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Scott Osmond said the house was part of a dairy farm on State Highway 5 in Rangitaiki, a tiny town on the Napier-Taupo Rd, about 30km southeast of Taupo.

Rangitaiki Tavern owner Marion Klaus said the small, close-knit community was devastated by the news.

"It's tragic. It's very tragic," she said.

"There's a lot of young staff who have probably never experienced anything like this before and the fact that it's their mate from the farm... it will take them a long time to get over it."

A large group of staff lived in the houses on the dairy farm and she understood a house near the cow shed caught fire.

The workers all knew each other well and the rest of the staff were devastated, Klaus said.

The community, including the Civil Defence officer, were supporting each other today.

"My God, the community here have all just come together and it's amazing."

Taupo Mayor David Trewavas says the settlement is quite a big producer of dairy.

It is made up of farming families, and will be reeling at the news, he said.

- Additional reporting Newstalk ZB