A Dunedin family and three relatives escaped their burning Flagstaff-Whare Flat Rd home on Christmas morning thanks to their two dogs.
Barking woke the family just before 4am yesterday, enabling them to get out of the house, close doors to prevent the fire spreading and grab the Christmas presents, Roslyn Station Officer Martin Jansen said.
The fire started on the three-bedroom home's veranda and when the heat broke a window, it spread into the lounge, causing major damage.
''The house is uninhabitable and the family are traumatised.''
The family declined to speak, asking their privacy be respected, Mr Jansen said.
Heavy fog made access to the remote rural property over gravel roads difficult for the Fire Service, with poor visibility, but it arrived in about 20 minutes, he said. There was no cellphone coverage in the area.
Two Roslyn units attended the fire, along with two engines from Dunedin Central and two voluntary units from Mosgiel.
About 18 firefighters tackled the fire with assistance from the rural fire water tanker.
Mr Jansen praised the family of four, including two boys, for their safe exit of the house, especially closing doors as they went and having a safe meeting place, at a shed away from the house.
''By shutting the doors they kept the fire contained and helped prevent it spreading further.''
The rest of the house was water and smoke damaged.
Smoke alarms were installed in the house but the dogs woke the inhabitants before the alarms sounded.
The incident was a reminder to families, wherever they were for Christmas - in a tent, caravan or house - to ensure they had working smoke alarms, preferably photoelectric, and also a safe escape plan, Mr Jansen said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation but it was not suspicious.
