Smoke alarms installed by a landlord only two weeks ago when new laws came in may have saved the lives of a young Invercargill family.
Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act on July 1 require landlords to have working smoke alarms in all rental homes.
A fire broke out at a family's Invercargill home after a wheelie bin caught alight from incorrect disposal of three-day-old ashes from a fire.
Firefighters arrived at the property to find the occupants doing a good job of safely containing the fire with bucket and water but quickly took over controlling the flames.
Invercargill fire station manager Graeme Gilroy said the presence of smoke alarms played a vital role in the safety of the family.
"Smoke alarms played a major part in the safe evacuation of the occupants and in limiting damage to the home. The family were pretty concerned and upset after waking up to the fire alarms and a house full of smoke but had taken all the right steps by evacuating, containing the blaze with water and dialling 111.''
Fire Services also stress the need for a home escape plan with alternate exit points in case of an emergency.
The external wall of the building suffered moderate heat smoke and fire damage, the home had minor to moderate smoke damage and a nearby car suffered blistering and melted trims.
