Op Kiri, Hamilton fatal house fire update III, body removed

While the scene examination of a house where a person's body was found following a house fire early yesterday morning continues, the deceased's body has been removed from the property.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall of the Waikato CIB said the body of a yet to be identified person was removed from the inside of the badly damaged house about 3pm and a post-mortem examination is scheduled in Auckland tomorrow morning.

"The forensic evidence gathered during the post mortem will assist in determining the direction of the investigation.  We anticipate that we should be able to complete the formal identification process following the post-mortem.

"The scene examination of the Holland Rd property is expected to continue for several days and Police are being assisted in their investigation by ESR forensic experts and Fire Service fire investigators."

Mr Keall said while Police were receiving good cooperation from the occupants of the house those same occupants had expressed concerns about intrusions into their privacy and asked that this privacy be respected.

"We believe it is their intent to release a statement through the Police over coming days.

"This homicide investigation is an evidence led enquiry and to that end we would encourage anyone with any information on what has occurred to contact the Operation Kiri enquiry team via the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200. Alternatively information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."