Two people have been killed in a fire at a two-storey house in Auckland's Bucklands Beach overnight, police say.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va'aelua said police at the scene are investigating what has happened.
"Our investigation is still at the very early stages and Police need to work methodically through the next steps."
It was expected police would remain at the house for a number of days.
Police inside the cordon. Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ
"Our priority is on carefully extracting the two deceased from the scene, and from there a post-mortem examination will need to be carried out."
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"We are unable to release further information about those who have died as the formal identification process has not yet begun."
An investigation would work to figure out how the fire began.
"We appreciate the community will have questions about how this has occurred, and this will now be the focus for investigators.
"Police will be speaking with nearby residents as part of inquiries, but we ask anyone with information to contact us."
Three people were also injured with two taken to hospital.
Hato Hone St John said one person in a serious condition and another in a moderate condition were taken to Middlemore Hospital.
People speak to police inside the cordon on Murvale Drive. Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ
A third person was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Va'aelua confirmed there had been five people inside the house when the fire began.
Police officers wearing protective coveralls and breathing masks have been examining the house on Murvale Drive for many hours.
A blue car parked outside the two-storey house was towed away on Thursday afternoon.
Neighbour Cathy Harwood said she was woken by her dog barking about 2am and heard "strange" noises coming from outside.
She described the fire as "massive" and saw lots of smoke.
"It's a very sad thing that's happened," Harwood said with obvious emotion.
The cordon set up on Murvale Drive, Bucklands Beach. Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ
Other residents described feeling an eerie chill as they watched emergency services come and go.
An RNZ reporter at the scene said the smell of smoke on the street was still strong.
Police will remain on scene with cordons established on Murvale Drive, between Janome Place and Jandell Cresent.
Fire and Emergency said five crews were called to a fire on the upper floor of a two-storey house just after 2.30am.
"Hato Hone St John was notified of a fire incident on Murvale Drive, Bucklands Beach, at 02:36 today. Two ambulances and one operations manager attended," St John said.
Meanwhile, four fire trucks turned out to a commercial building on Lambie Drive in Papatoetoe about 2.30am.
Fire and Emergency said the fire, in the roof area, had been extinguished and the cause was being investigated.
Anyone who witnessed the fire could contact police online now or call 105 using the reference number 251002/9501.
Police at a cordon near the scene of the house fire in Bucklands Beach. Photo: RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
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