An old property on a rural Southland section was destroyed by fire overnight.
Firefighters were called to a Papatotara Rd property in Tuatapere about 1am.
An old house was well alight on their arrival. Occupants of a new house on the property made the 111 call, a fire spokeswoman said.
Fire crews from Tuatapere and Orepuki brought the blaze under control and firefighters said the old structure was "pretty well knackered".
The cause of the blaze is not yet known and a fire investigator will visit the scene today.
