A person has died and three others have been treated for injuries following a fire at defence force housing outside Burnham Military Camp, south of Christchurch, this morning.
Emergency services were called to the blaze on Toanui St shortly after 2am, which has now been confirmed as defence housing just outside of Burnham Military Camp's perimeter fencing.
Police, along with Fire and Emergency New Zealand fire investigators, are carrying out a scene examination to determine the cause of the blaze, Detective Sergeant Brent Menzies said today in an update.
"This work is ongoing, and staff will return to the scene tomorrow."
Menzies said the body of the person who died "has been removed from the property and will undergo a formal identification process which is expected to take some time".
The death has been referred to the coroner.
"Police extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased who we are providing support to and will continue to keep updated on the investigation."
Burnham Camp Commandant Major Julie Richardson confirmed four houses within the complex and their occupants had been affected.
"Our thoughts are with the whānau who have lost a family member, and all of those impacted by today's fire," she said.
Richardson said NZDF welfare homes have been opened up for the occupants.
"Support is being provided to all those affected — including via Defence Community Facilitators and Burnham's padre."
"While housing at Burnham Military Camp is owned by the NZDF, some is occupied by NZDF personnel and some is tenanted by non-NZDF personnel. We are unable to comment at this stage, on whether the housing affected by the fire was occupied by NZDF personnel," she said.
Richardson added houses occupied by non-NZDF families are managed through commercial property managers.
Earlier, police confirmed one person had died following the fire and said a scene guard was in place while inquires remained ongoing.
St John told 1News it sent three ambulances, two rapid response units and a manager to the scene.
Three people were transported to Christchurch Hospital, two in a moderate condition and one in a serious condition.
Forty firefighters worked to bring the fire under control, which has since been contained.
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