Enquiries continuing into suspicious death

Christchurch police are continuing their enquiries into the suspicious death of a teenage girl in a house fire in the Christchurch suburb of Somerfield yesterday.

Detective Inspector Virginia Le Bas says the body of the deceased was removed from the scene last night. A post mortem examination is being carried out this morning.

Police remain at the Barrington Street address and the scene examination is continuing.

Detective Inspector Le Bas says Police are still wanting to hear from anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the scene, on Barrington Street near Cashmere high School, late yesterday morning or early afternoon, and seen any unusual activity.

Police expect to be able to release the identity of the deceased girl this afternoon.