Detectives are attempting to identify a man who died in a fire in Lower Hutt.
The victim perished in a flat in Hardham Crescent in Petone yesterday evening.
Neighbours describe the victim as Asian, aged in his 30s or 40s.
They said the fire broke out after an explosion in the flat's kitchen.
The scene has been under police guard overnight.
No other properties in the block of flats appear to have suffered any damage.
Locals say the man lived alone and had only moved into the property several weeks ago.
Five fire engines were called to the flats at Hardham Crescent just after 6pm last night.
Neighbours say a man died in a fire at this Lower Hutt flat tonight. pic.twitter.com/j3nHmsYjWC
— Gareth Thomas (@Garethradionz) October 15, 2015
The Fire Service and police are investigating the incident, and the scene was under police guard overnight.
Did you see the fire? Email us at iwitness@radionz.co.nz
