Bones found in house destroyed by fire were not remains of owner

Bones found in a Taranaki house destroyed by fire, thought to be human remains belonged to an animal. Photo / Bevan Conley.

A "body" discovered at a South Taranaki property completely destroyed by a fire yesterday, was in fact the remains of an animal.

Police said investigators at the property on Okahutiria Road, Waverly discovered bones today, which were initially thought to be human remains - but have now been confirmed as animal remains.

Police were called to help the Fire Service deal with a large blaze at the house on Monday afternoon.

The house was fully engulfed in flames by the time emergency services arrived and it raged for four hours before fire services could put it out.

Fire Service spokesman Murray Dunbar said someone passing by called the brigade shortly before midday on Monday. Two appliances attended but the house had already collapsed.

"It was a pile of rubble."

Waverley Fire Station chief Alan Hickford said access was difficult to the site and the fire was finally put out at 4.30pm yesterday.

Police are continuing investigations to locate the owner of the property.

An intensive forensic search will be undertaken at the property tomorrow, as well as a search in the bush area surrounding the property where the fire happened.