Fire tore through Luke Chapman’s Allandale Rd house shortly before 3am on Saturday.
The occupants awoke and got out in time, but three were taken to hospital, including Mr Chapman.
"Glad everyone is safe," he said in a text message to the Otago Daily Times.
"Fire is no joke; it is a beast faster and hotter than you can ever imagine.
"We never expected there would be such an amazing response from the community with kindness of offers of support from everybody."
Mr Chapman said five people were in the house.
They first heard a "booming sound and smashing", but there was "no messing around" to get out as fast as they could.
Of those taken to hospital, two were treated for minor injuries and he was treated for moderate burns.
He remained in hospital last night.
Two others in the house were treated at the scene for minor injuries, he said.
Mr Chapman said late yesterday he was "still processing what has happened, but extremely thankful we are safe and how supportive people can be".
He also appreciated friends' offers of support, community concern and generosity.
Mr Chapman is the head of production at Allied Productions, which is linked to the Allied Press media network, including the ODT.
"Their home is gone. All their clothes, furniture, keepsakes — everything up in smoke."
It has received more than $15,000 in donations.
Fire investigator Scottie Cameron said yesterday the cause of the fire had been determined and was classed as accidental.
"Everyone was lucky to get out. It's an opportunity for other people to think about having smoke detection and evacuation plans."
The house was a "total loss" and all the contents were destroyed, he said.
Firefighters from the Dunedin, St Kilda, Lookout Point, Roslyn, Willowbank and Mosgiel stations attended the blaze.
The house was fully alight when crews arrived, and 26 firefighters were battling the fire at its peak.
"It sounded like an improvised cannon," Mr Lukban said.
They could then see smoke and flames.
Mrs Lukban said she was initially worried the wind direction could bring the fire towards their house.
Firefighting crews arrived quickly, the couple said.
On Saturday afternoon, a digger being transported to the site fell off a delivery truck.
No action was required by police.
