A 23-year-old man died in a house fire at a home in Haveluloto on December 15.

Deputy Fire Commissioner Sinamoni Kauvaka said today the fire was reported to them at around 5:00am.

“By the time the firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had already engulfed the timber house. The victim was inside and there was nothing more we can do but try to put the fire out.”

The victim was reportedly living at the house alone, and an investigation is continuing into the cause of the fire.

"What we can confirm is that the fire started from the kitchen," he said.

The name of the victim has not been released.

This is the second death from a house fire so far this year.

In 2017, 288 fires have been recorded in Tonga with 76 house fires. The majority were bush fires.