The road was closed after a truck crashed in Southland this morning. Photo: Luisa Girao

A person has died in a truck crash that has blocked off State Highway 1 between Invercargill and Bluff.

Emergency services were called to the scene, at Bluff Highway in Greenhills, just before 3.30am after reports that a truck had crashed and caught fire.

Police confirmed the fatality just before 7am.

People travelling in the area were warned that the area would be closed off for several hours and that there was no alternative route.

The road reopened this afternoon.

Earlier, Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Andrew Norris said the blaze was now out but that the road was blocked and would be for some time.

He said firefighters were working with police to clean up the contents of the truck, which are non-hazardous.