Palmerston North CIB and the Fire Service are investigating the fatal fire which occurred in Palmerston North overnight.

Police, Fire Service and the Ambulance service were called to a house at Exeter Crescent just before 3am.

A child and an adult are believed to have died, however, this is still subject to confirmation until investigators have completed a thorough search of the property this morning.

Nine other people were taken to hospital.

All the victims are believed to part of the same extended family, although this is again still subject to confirmation.

The two unit property has been completely destroyed.

Further information will be released by police once it becomes available later today.

Source: New Zealand Police.