Fire investigators and police have returned to the scene of a fatal blaze in Christchurch.

As first reported by chrislynchmedia.com, emergency services were called to Korimako Lane in Sydenham, just after 3.30pm.

Firefighters pulled a man from a burning upstairs unit.

He was given CPR at the scene and rushed to hospital in a critical condition, where he died a short time later.

Friends of the man, believed to be in his 30s, have paid tribute to him online.

A former neighbour said he was the “most kind hearted person you would ever meet.”

Community Housing Trust general manager tenancy Robert Hardie  told chrislynchmedia.com last night the organisation was deeply saddened by the death of its tenant.

“Our sincere thoughts are with the family, friends, and neighbours at this very difficult time,” he said.

Investigators were back at the scene on Wednesday morning, but the fire was not being treated as suspicious.