Formal identification of a body in a house destroyed by fire in the Banks Peninsula settlement of Little Akaloa yesterday, could take days, say Christchurch Police.

Senior Sergeant Stu Munro says that a body has been removed and formal identification will likely take several days.

"We have completed the scene examination and there are no suspicious circumstances. The matter is referred to the Coroner," he says.

Any further questions should be referred to the Coroners office.