Police in Christchurch are searching streets in the suburb of St Albans for items connected to the death of a man in the Canterbury town of Oxford on Wednesday.
A homicide inquiry has been launched after it was determined that the Sri Lankan man Sameera Chandrasena, 28, whose body was found in a fire damaged house in Oxford was dead before the fire started.
Detective Inspector Virginia Le Bas says as a result of enquiries two men have been arrested on Saturday on charges not related to the death.
She says they expect to lay further charges in relation to the death and the arson.
Detective Inspector Le Bas says a search is being conducted in St Albans for any clothing or property which may have been discarded.
She says the man died as a result of injuries consistent with an assault.
Two men are now under arrest. One has appeared in court on assault charges and was remanded in custody until 5 March. The other was detained on immigration matters.
