A child has died and six people have been injured after a large fire in Christchurch last night.

Police said four of the injured are children and two are adults.

The child died at the property on Whitehall St, Mairehau.

Police are yet to determine the cause of the fire but said it’s not believed to be suspicious.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan said six people were injured.

“One person received critical injuries, three were in a serious to moderate condition and two received minor injuries.

“The injured are two adults and four children and were all transported to hospital.”

A child is dead, and six others are injured after a house fire at Mairehau, Christchurch, last night. Photo / Mike Thorpe 

One neighbour said that they became aware of the fire when they heard windows breaking - but heard no sirens.

They said they often heard young children playing in the backyard and believed the family had lived there for a few years.

Fire investigators are trying to work out the cause of the blaze. Photo / Mike Thorpe

The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) said it has cancelled today’s planned strike following the fatal fire in Christchurch last night.

The NZPFU National Committee said it called off the nationwide one-hour strike, scheduled from noon today, “in recognition of the impact of the fire on the whānau, their wider support network”.

“The loss and devastation will be widely felt by Christchurch and ripple through the country.”

Emergency crews were called about 8.25pm after reports of a house fire and people unaccounted for.

One person has died after a house fire in Mairehau in Christchurch. Photo / Supplied 

This morning, Whitehall St remains cordoned off.

Police officers are at the Hills Rd and Westminster St ends, blocking access to the street.

Police cars and a police white trailer remain, but no other emergency services are at the scene.

The fire attracted a large crowd of people last night.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers was also spotted behind the cordon.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said four ambulances, two rapid response units and an operations manager went to the scene.

Cordons are in place around Whitehall St and the public is urged to avoid the area while the scene is investigated.

More to come ...