A Clutha farmhouse was ''practically destroyed'' by fire yesterday.
Milton Volunteer Fire Brigade Deputy Chief Fire Officer Robbie Philip said the fire in a farmhouse at Circle Hill was well involved when firefighters arrived about 3pm.
The family home was about 2km from Circle Hill Rd. Circle Hill is 7km northwest of Milburn.
One person was at home when firefighters arrived but was out of the house.
Fire trucks and tankers from Milton, Balclutha and Waihola were used and 22 firefighters attended.
Strong winds fanned the flames and firefighters had access to a limited water supply, he said.
''With the wind, it [the fire] took off,'' Mr Philip said.
The bungalow had been renovated and looked ''like new'', but the fire ''practically destroyed'' the house.
The fire got a hold in the cavity between the false ceiling and the original above, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
Firefighters were called at 2.50pm yesterday and he expected firefighters would be at the scene dampening hotspots until early today.
There were indications the fire had started at the rear of the house, near the boiler, but the cause had not been confirmed, Mr Philip said.
