The young man who died after being caught in a house fire in Blockhouse Bay at about 2.40 this morning was Asian and possibly had a flat mate.
A scene examination of the address - 419 Blockhouse Bay Rd - suggests that an accelerant was used in the house.
Police are trying to establish the identity of the deceased but believe he is Chinese and was in New Zealand on a student visa.
"We have been advised that two people lived at the address but we don't know who the other person may be," Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Benefield said.
"It's important that we locate whoever else lived at 419 Blockhouse Bay Rd so that we can account for everyone and get some assistance in identifying the deceased."
Fire Service was called to the address by a neighbour and some passersby at 2.40 when they - independently - noticed smoke coming from the house.
The dead man was removed from the house by firemen who tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him before ambulance staff attended. A scene guard was at the house until light this morning when a scene examination was initiated by Police and the Fire Service.
Anyone with information about the address and its inhabitants should contact the Avondale CIB on 09 820 5784.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz