A second person has been found dead after a house fire early yesterday in Southland's Manapouri

Emergency services were called about 3.40am to the single-storey View Street property, and told people could be inside.

Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy says they're methodically looking for any occupants.

He says alongside FENZ they'll continue efforts in coming days, to establish if anyone else was inside.

The fire's cause remains under investigation.