Christchurch police are treating the death of a teenage girl in a house fire in the Christchurch suburb of Somerfield this afternoon as suspicious.
Police were called to a house fire at a Barrington Street address shortly after 1.30pm today.
The body of a teenage girl was found inside the house. No other persons were located at the property.
Police confirm the fire is suspicious and appears to have been deliberately lit.
Detective Inspector Virginia Le Bas says the identity deceased will not be released until next of kin have been notified.
A post mortem is expected to carried out tomorrow.
"Police are interested to hear from anyone who may have seen unusual activity near the southern end of Barrington Street this morning or early afternoon," says Detective Inspector Le Bas.
No further information will be available this evening. Further information will be updated by media release.
ENDS
For more information:
Stephen Hill, Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District
027 4363701