Flowers and other tributes are being left outside a Maungatapu home as investigations into a fire where someone was found dead continue.

The quiet-cul-de-sac of Moiri place has been busy this morning as well-wishers and mourners stopped to pay respects to the person, who is yet to be named.

About 20 firefighters from Tauranga, Greerton and Mount Maunganui fire stations responded to multiple calls of a house fire in the Tauranga suburb on Tuesday at about 1pm.

The fire was quickly extinguished and an investigation into the cause has been launched.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says police are working on identifying the person whose body was found at the property.

This morning, neighbours and other people in the area have stopped to pay their respects with some people leaving flowers at the end the driveway and others saying a prayer.

A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, says it has shaken the neighbourhood.

"It's just so bloody sad you know?"

The resident says he heard an explosion which alerted him to the fire.

"There was this big bang and the house was gone.

"There was lots of black smoke. A lot more than you would think possible for such a small house.”

A fire safety investigator is at the scene today and police are also involved in the investigation.

-Additional reporting by Stuff.co.nz