Marton fire claims life

The cause of a house fire which killed a Marton man yesterday is being investigated.

Emergency services were called to Vera St in Marton early yesterday morning to find the house fully ablaze.

Firefighters from Marton and Bulls responded to a call just after 2.30am. After the fire was controlled, fire officers entered the house and discovered the body in one of the rooms.

Joe Robinson, who lives across the road from the house, was the first to discover the blaze after he heard the fire crackling.

"It glowed through my room," he said.

He went outside to see his neighbour's house ablaze and called emergency services.

"It was cracking and breaking through all the windows - it was terrifying because I knew he wouldn't get out," Mr Robinson said.

"I couldn't do a thing ... it was too far gone by the time I got out there."

Yesterday afternoon a section of the street was cordoned off by police who were investigating the scene along with fire investigators.

The body was removed from the destroyed property and taken to Palmerston North, and next of kin were informed.

The cause of the fire, which completely destroyed the house, was not yet known, however police said it was not thought to be suspicious.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was believed to be the sole occupant of the house.