A person has died following a house fire in the Christchurch suburb of Sydenham this afternoon.
Police said they were called to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand at the Korimako Ln property around 4pm.
One person was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where they died of their injuries.
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said it responded to reports of smoke showing at a Sydenham address and reports of a person inside.
Four fire trucks from Christchurch City, Spreydon and Woolston attended.
FENZ said a person was rescued from a second storey of the building and the fire was contained.
"It appears the fire was only on the second floor," a spokesperson said.
A witness at the scene told 1News residents "came out of their houses, wondering what was going on".
"We heard probably about 10 big bangs to break down the door.
"Apparently they had to smash a second [floor] window and that’s when I saw smoke billowing out."
Inquiries into the circumstances of the fire were ongoing.
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