A Dunedin state house and everything inside it was destroyed by fire yesterday.
Senior Station Officer Justin Wafer, of Dunedin City Station, said the home in Dalziel Rd, Brockville, was ‘‘completely gutted''.
Firefighters from Dunedin City, Lookout Point, Roslyn and Willowbank were called to the fire at 3.37pm.
As firefighters battled the blaze, a man hugged a crying woman on the street.
The man, who did not want to be named, said his daughter and grandson were living in the house and was thankful they had both made it out safely.
‘‘Everything else can be replaced.''
Mr Wafer said the brick house was ‘‘fully involved'' in fire when firefighters arrived.
Flames engulfed the house and had broken every window. Thick grey smoke billowing from the house floated across neighbouring farmland.
Mr Wafer believed the family had contents insurance, but this could not be confirmed last night.
The family were alerted to the blaze by smoke alarms.
‘‘It's a timely reminder of the speed of fire and the need for people to check they have working smoke alarms.''
Fire investigators were at the house trying to determine the cause last night and were expected to resume the investigation today.
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