A heartbroken community is opening its chequebooks to help a family which lost two children in a house fire in Christchurch

A nine-month-old girl and eight-year-old boy died after the blaze at a Burwood house on Tuesday night.

The community is being asked to pass on care packages for the surviving family members via Christchurch charity NZ Gifts of Love and Strength or at Little Explorers preschool.

Founder Vicki-Anne Parker says locals are hurting for the family.

She says donors should pass on vouchers or new items rather than second hand goods.

Parker says one woman gave her last 100 dollar bill for the month and wanted to give more.