Tests on man's body after stable blaze

A post mortem will be held today on the body of a man found at a stable fire yesterday at Karaka, south of Auckland.

Firefighters battled exploding gas cylinders and a lack of water to fight the massive fire, which started at a rural property on Bryant Rd, about 10km southwest of Papakura, just before 4pm.

Thirteen fire appliances were needed to extinguish the blaze.

Two barns were well alight when firefighters arrived.

The man was found dead inside one of the barns, northern fire communications shift manager Jarron Phillips said.

Reports there had been horses inside the barn had not been confirmed, he said.

Exploding gas cylinders meant firefighters could not get inside the barns to fight the fire.

Water was also scarce and some had to be pumped from a nearby swimming pool, he said.