A body has been found by Police and Fire investigators, while examining the scene of a fire that happened in the early hours of Wednesday 27 July, at a Rutherford Street address in Woolston.
It was located inside a self-contained flat at the rear of the property on Thursday 28 July 2016.
The flat has been extensively damaged and at the time of the fire was believed to have been vacant.
The body is yet to be identified. A post-mortem examination will take place on Friday 29 July.
The focus of the investigation is identifying the unknown person and determining how the fire started.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information or images is asked to contact Christchurch Central Police Station on 03 363 7400.
Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-nz.org.
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There is no further information available at this time.