A street view of Anareo homestead, near Hyde, in October 2012. Photo: Google
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said two pumps and two tankers, one of each from Ranfurly and Middlemarch, were called to the farm at 11.40pm on Monday.
Three occupants were home when the blaze started but were able to escape unharmed after one of the occupants smelled smoke, another Fenz officer said.
The blaze was well-involved when crews arrived and they were forced to undertake an ‘‘external attack,’’ as they were unable to enter the home.
The fire destroyed the woodwork, ceilings and floors inside the home but left its stone walls standing.
Its cause was unknown yesterday and police did not attend.
It is understood the home belonged to former Strath Taieri Community Board member Bevan Dowling.
