An elderly man is thought to have died in a house fire near Gisborne.
The house was destroyed in the fire, which happened early on Friday at Puha, 35km from Gisborne.
Detective Sergeant Steve Smith said the exact cause of the blaze had not yet been confirmed.
"The body of the deceased was removed from the ruins of the house yesterday afternoon," Mr Smith said.
A post-mortem examination was expected to be done this weekend on the victim, who lived alone at the property.
"We know the home was occupied by a single, elderly man, who lived there on his own," Mr Smith said.
"It is important that we ascertain if the cause is suspicious or not, and at this stage we have an open mind on that."
- Gisborne Herald staff
