Two people have been killed in a house fire in South Auckland, Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has confirmed.
Firefighters were called to the fire in the suburb of Hillpark around 6:55am on Monday.
FENZ Assistant Commissioner Brendon Irwin said three people were initially unaccounted for.
"We carried out search and rescue and we removed two occupants from the house, followed by a third occupant in a secondary search," Asst Cmmr Irwin said.
"Sadly I can confirm that there are deceased persons ... a third person has gone through to Middlemore Hospital."
Hato Hone St John said the third person was taken to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.
Neighbour Kamal told Newshub she heard glass breaking before seeing flames rising from the property.
"I rang 111, they asked me to go outside [in case] the fire reached the property," Kamal said.
"[Fire and Emergency] were asking me 'what sort of fire?' I was saying it's a huge fire, please come soon."
Kamal said she didn't know who lived at the property, other than there was an "old lady" there.
"[The fire] was in the entrance initially, and then it goes up and up to the trees."
Fire and Emergency said it was too early to know what caused the fire.
Two fire investigators are working with police to determine the cause.
People are being asked to avoid the area while investigations are carried out.
Newshub.
