Christchurch Police have released the name of the teenage girl who was found dead following a suspicious house fire in the suburb of Somerfield yesterday [Thursday 10 November].

She was Jade Louise Bayliss, aged 13 years, of Somerfield.

Detective Inspector Virginia Le Bas says Jade was a student at Cashmere High School, but had been at home sick on Thursday. She lived with her mother at the Barrington Street address where her body was found.

"It is an absolute tragedy that a 13-year old girl should lose her life in such awful circumstances.

"Jade's family have been through an incredible trauma in the past 24 hours, and they have asked for privacy at this time."