Nearby residents heard shouts and bangs as fire tore through a Christchurch property.

Fire crews were called to the Champion Street house in Edgeware just before two this morning.

Residents claim the teenage occupants who recently moved in were having a loud party - witnesses say people set off fireworks near the house shortly before the blaze started.

Champion Street resident Gerald Ginther says he heard a bang at around one o'clock.

He says a wall of fire burst through the house, which is possibly damaged beyond repair.