Police have confirmed one person has died and 6 others have been injured in a house fire in Mairehau.

Christchurch Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said emergency services were called to the Whitehall Street property at 8.25pm after reports a house was on fire and people were unaccounted for.

“Sadly, we can confirm one person has died. One person has critical injuries. Three other people have moderate and serious injuries, and two have minor injuries.

A scene investigation is ongoing and cordons remain in place in Whitehall Street and Hills Road for the time being.

At least four St John ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and an operations manager were sent to the scene, and a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said four crews were needed.

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‘It was a terrifying sight’

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, told chrislynchmedia.com they first noticed the fire while playing a computer game at home.

“I saw the orange. It was small at the time,” they said. “I told my son to go to my bedroom and watch his tablet for a bit. Stepped outside and heard someone yelling and another voice screaming.”

The neighbour said they called 111, even though they assumed others already had.

“I assumed people had already called 111, but being so close I wanted to call myself just for the reassurance. The man on the phone said that a few people had called and they were already on their way.

“Within 5 minutes the whole house was ablaze. It was a terrifying sight,” they said.

“I was worried that I would have to wake up my two younger daughters and run them down to my parents’ house. Kept watching the fence to see if it was coming alight. I could hear the neighbour’s garage windows blasting out from the heat.”

“It was not long after that, that I heard the sirens. They didn’t stop for a while. There was so many sirens and cars arriving.”

“The only real thing that helped stop the fire spreading was that metal fence.”

They said they did not know the family personally, but recognised them from the daily school run.

“I see them walk past my house every day taking their children to preschool while on the school run myself. I hope they pull through. Will be a sleepless night tonight.”

“It took me ages to settle down and stop shaking.”