The bodies of the two people killed in a house fire in east Auckland have been removed from the property as an investigation continues into what caused the fatal blaze on Thursday morning.
Emergency services were called to the Murvale Dr property in the suburb of Bucklands Beach at around 2.30am.
Dramatic footage captured by 1News at the scene showed the two-storey building completely engulfed in flames.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said the police investigation remained in the early stages.
"The cause of the fire has not been determined and we are working with fire investigators as part of those inquiries."
Va'aelua said the two bodies were removed from the property last night.
"Post-mortem examinations are underway today, and we expect formal identification procedures to get underway in due course."
Two people were injured in the fire.
The pair were taken to Middlemore Hospital in a serious and a moderate condition respectively.
Va'aelua provided an update, saying "one has been discharged and the other remains in hospital in a stable condition".
He gave his condolences to the family of the victims.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the whānau of the deceased at this difficult time."
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