Police are investigating a connection between a fatal house fire and a fatal car crash in Rangataua.
Whanganui Area Commander Inspector Neil Forlong said investigators undertaking a scene examination at a house fire in Rangataua located one person deceased yesterday afternoon.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the house fire on Kaha St at about 6.40pm on Thursday, April 16.
The fire was extinguished, and police were notified about 7.25pm.
A scene guard was put in place overnight, to allow for a scene examination to be conducted during daylight hours yesterday.
“Sadly, Fenz [Fire and Emergency] and police investigators yesterday afternoon located the deceased person inside the house,” he said.
A scene guard remains in place at the house as investigators continue work to determine the circumstances of the fire.
Work is also underway to formally identify the deceased person and establish the circumstances of their death.
Forlong said while police are in the early stages of the investigation, initial inquiries suggest there may be a connection between the fire and a fatal crash that occurred in Tangiwai on Thursday evening.
One person died in the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 49, which emergency services were notified of about 6.45pm.
While that person is also yet to be formally identified, the vehicle involved is believed to be connected to the address where the fire occurred.
“Residents in the Rangataua area may notice an increased police presence in the community as we continue to make inquiries into the circumstances of these two incidents, to establish exactly what has occurred,” he said.
Police are encouraging anyone who has information they think may assist inquiries to report it via 105, quoting file number 260417/7386.