'Suspicious' fire guts West Coast house

No one was in South Island house engulfed by fire late last night, but authorities are treating it as suspicious.

Southern Fire Communications shift leader Rewi Grace said firefighters confirmed after midnight that the house was empty at Runanga, near Greymouth.

However the blaze, which began about 11pm, was being treated as suspicious.

Police and fire investigators would arrive later today, Mr Grace said.

One fire crew remained at the scene to dampen down hot spots, and a guard would remain on site, he said.

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