Investigations are continuing, after an apartment fire left several injured in Christchurch overnight

Emergency crews were called to an apartment block on New Brighton Road, near The Palms Shopping Centre, at about 10pm.

A child was rescued from a second-storey window, and one person was taken to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition.

The Herald's Pierre Nixon says the damage is concentrated on one apartment in the building -- which is believed be less than 12 months old.

He says there are several children's items among the blackened remains of the property.