Three bodies were removed from a burnt out Hamilton house today, and work to determine the cause of the fire will be carried out tomorrow.
The Fire Service said it was called to the fire in Collingwood Street in Hamilton just after 5am. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
The old villa on Collingwood Street burnt down in the early hours of yesterday morning, following a house party.
The emergency services recovered the bodies from the ruins of the old villa this afternoon and post mortems will be carried out tomorrow.
Senior Sergeant Dave Litton said the fire was fierce and they may have to look at dental records, jewellery, and other clues.
At one stage it was feared there might be more fire victim in the house.
Police said once the second storey was strengthened tomorrow, forensic examiners would clear the building, and try to figure out what caused the fire.
The landlords, Quality Rental Management, said the building had working smoke alarms.