New Zealand

Person dies in Loyalty St house fire in Dunedin

A person was found dead inside a house in Dunedin's Forbury suburb after emergency services were called to a fire on Loyalty St on Friday morning.

The Gist

What happened

Emergency services were called to a house fire on Loyalty St in Forbury, Dunedin, just after 11am on Friday. Four fire crews attended, initially reporting a small fire on the premises. A person's body was later discovered inside the address. Police and a fire investigator also attended the scene. Emotional scenes were observed outside the property, with young people being consoled by officers. Detective Senior Sergeant Hayden Smale said officers would remain at the property overnight, with a scene examination to take place the following day. Firefighters left the scene around 1.30pm. Hato Hone St John attended with one ambulance and an operations manager.

Key facts

  • Fire reported Loyalty St, Forbury, Dunedin, just after 11am Friday
  • Four fire crews responded initially, additional crew sent shortly after
  • Person found dead inside the address
  • Police remained overnight, scene examination scheduled for next day
  • Last firefighters left around 1.30pm

What happens next

Police scene examination to take place the day after the fire.

Covered byRNZStuffNZ Herald1NewsOtago Daily TimesNot covered byNewstalk ZBNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz

Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

Where the outlets differ

The NZ Herald and 1News both report a death; earlier Stuff and Otago Daily Times coverage described emergency response and emotional scenes without mentioning a fatality. RNZ's headline confirms the death. The Herald provides more detail on the fire's visibility on arrival and the timeline of crew deployment.

What outlets are saying

Stuff

Emergency services rush to fire in South Dunedin

A spokesperson for Hato Hone St John said they were called at 11.18am and sent one ambulance and one rapid response unit. They referred all other questions to police.

Read the full story at Stuff

1News

Person dies following house fire in Dunedin

Firefighters from across the city were called to Loyalty St in the south of the city just after 11am.

Read the full story at 1News

NZ Herald

Dunedin house fire: Person found dead inside Loyalty St home

Police will remain at the site overnight before a scene examination tomorrow.

Read the full story at NZ Herald

RNZ

Body found in Dunedin house following fire

There will be a police presence at the house overnight, police say.

Read the full story at RNZ