Two people have died in a house fire which broke out in Foxton Beach today, police have confirmed.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesperson said crews were called to a house fire at Foxton Beach — which is about 5km west of Foxton and 90 minutes north of Wellington — shortly after 5am.
They said on arrival, the incident was escalated to a second alarm and six trucks from Foxton Beach, Foxton, Himatangi Beach, Waitārere Beach, Levin, and Shannon attended.
In an update this afternoon, Manawatu Area Commander Ross Grantham said the bodies of two people who were earlier unaccounted for have since been recovered from the scene.
“Our thoughts are also with the tight-knit community of Foxton Beach,” he said.
“Police have an increased presence in the town today and officers will be engaging with members of the community and providing support following this traumatic incident.”
Grantham said “formal identification will be carried out over the coming days”.
A scene investigation was ongoing and cordons remain in place on Queen Street, from Andrews Street to Edinburgh Terrace.
Earlier, FENZ said the building sustained significant damage and was considered structurally compromised.
St John also attended the scene.
A fire investigator was at the scene, and the investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the blaze.
