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A woman is in custody after a serious incident in the Christchurch suburb of Sockburn this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the address at 3.10pm today after reports of a house fire.

Multiple fire engines, police cars, and ambulances were at the scene; a witness said the Armed Offenders Squad had also arrived.

Smoke could be seen coming out of the house. There was also a strong smell of smoke in the air.

A police officer was heard saying over a speaker “you need to come out now”.

“Your family is very worried about you.”

Neighbours were seen comforting each other.

Emergency services are responding to a serious incident in Christchurch this afternoon. Photo / George Heard

Police confirmed they were notified of a house fire at 3.10pm.

“The woman was the sole occupant of the house and refused to leave when emergency services arrived,” Inspector Paul Reeves said.

“While there was no risk to the wider community, cordons were put in place around the house to enable emergency services to work safely at the scene.”

Photo / George Heard

A large crowd of onlookers, including many children, gathered at the cordons on Epsom Rd.

One local said it’s a “very quiet and respectable neighbourhood”.

Reeves said officers “spent some time engaging with the woman and she was safely taken into custody at 4.55pm”.

A major police operation is underway in Christchurch

A spokesman for Hato Hone St John confirmed they were on the scene with an ambulance and rapid response vehicle.

The ambulance was later seen leaving.

Epsom Rd is blocked off as emergency services deal with the situation. Photo / George Heard