Police have identified this morning's Blockhouse Bay Rd fire victim as 24 year-old Chinese student Zhou Xu [Xu is the family name].
He had been in New Zealand since May this year but had visited the country a number of times since 2000.
Mr Xu was found in his burning home by firemen at about 2.45 this morning. A post-mortem examination was carried out earlier today and the results suggest he died as a result of the fire.
Mr Xu was from the Hulong Jiang province in China.
Police have spoken with a cousin of the deceased who lives in Auckland but as yet have not been able to establish whether Mr Xu had a flat mate or not.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Benefield says anyone with information about Mr Xu 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