Police say it was ‘‘lucky'' a fire, suspected to be arson, did not rip through an entire Dunedin home on Thursday morning.
The Fire Service was called to the blaze in Corstorphine Rd and arrived about 7.15am to find a fire in the kitchen.
Detective Sergeant Stan Leishman said the fire left the kitchen area ‘‘gutted'' and it was lucky it had not spread to the entire house.
Neighbours alerted the Fire Service and attempted to put out the fire, but it was too involved, Det Sgt Leishman said.
The fire was being investigated as arson. It was believed the offender gained entry through a smashed window on a lower floor and then set the fire in the kitchen upstairs.
It was not known when the fire was set.
Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area was asked to contact police.
Police and a fire safety investigator were at the scene yesterday morning.
The family living at the property were away on holiday at the time of the blaze.
