UPDATED 11.14am: A house fire south of Whangarei has claimed the life of an 80-year-old man.

Five fire crews fought the flames at a house in Ruakaka early this morning, after receiving several 111 calls.

Fire Risk Management Officer Craig Bain says the man was the only person in the house and the cause of the fire isn't yet known.

His body was recovered once the fire was out, and his next of kin are yet to be informed.