He was Thomas Tamitei Huiateroa (48).
Fire crews were called to the blaze on Riverbank Road, Inch Clutha, around 8.50pm, a Southern Fire Communications Centre spokesman said.
"Appliances from Balclutha responded. On arrival they found a house well involved in fire. Not all persons had been accounted for at the time,'' he said.
"Due to the nature of the fire, they requested two more appliances. These were dispatched from Milton. Due to water supply [issues] three tankers also responded.''
A number of other people managed to escape the blaze, he said.
Firefighters launched an "external attack", owing to the nature of the fire.
Mr Huiateroa's body was later found inside the building.
An investigation is under way.
The matter has been referred to the Coroner.
The Fire Service also overnight responded to a fire at a set of stables at the AMP Showgrounds on the outskirts of Christchurch and to a suspicious fire at a garage in Saint Albans.
