Owners of a house in Southland will return to find their home ravaged by fire, after a blaze tore through the property early this morning.
Firefighters were called to the Milton St, Ohai, property shortly before 2am, Rewai Grace of the Fire Service southern communications centre said.
Four fire crews from Ohai, Otautau and Nightcaps rushed to dampen the blaze, which was described as "well involved" when they arrived.
The blaze was extinguished, and a number of LPG gas cylinders were removed from the scene, Mr Grace said.
A cause of the fire had not yet been determined, he said. A scene guard remained at the property, where a fire investigator would begin scene examinations today.
The occupants of the property were not home at the time, Mr Grace said.
There were no reports of injuries.
