The body of an elderly man has been been found inside a house that burnt down at Foxton Beach near Levin.
The blaze was one of a number fires crews battled nationwide overnight.
The fire service was called to the Roore Street fire shortly before 6am.
Shift Manager Murray Bunbar says it was initially believed nobody was hurt but a relative later told firefighters there might have been someone inside.
Mr Dunbar said crews making sure the fire in the severely-damaged house was fully out when they found the body.
A fire investigator is at the scene and the coroner has been advised.
Gisborne home totally destroyed
Crews were called to a house on Lavenham Road near Gisborne shortly before 5am.
Mr Dunbar said the fire totally destroyed the home, however there were no reports of injuries.
It has been extinguished and is being investigated
Auckland steel factory fire
Over a dozen fire crews put out a large blaze at a major Auckland steel factory overnight.
The fire service responded to multiple calls at around midnight to Pacific Steel on James Fletcher Drive.
Shift manager Scott Osmond said 15 fire appliances attended and the fire was put out by 4am.
Gore fire not suspicious
And in Gore fire crews took an hour and a half to put out a house fire.
Shift Manager Riwai Grace said crews were called at about 4am to Hamilton Street and Laurence Street to find the front of a home ablaze.
The fire is not being treated as suspicious.
