A couple escaped from a serious blaze at their house in Allanton, near Dunedin, thanks to smoke alarms, a fire officer says.
Emergency services were called about 2.30am on Sunday to Allanton-Scroggs Hill Rd.
Outram Volunteer Fire Brigade Station Officer Peter Watkins said the fire began outside the house and spread to the roof cavity.
There were only two people inside and both were safely evacuated.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said one person went to hospital due to smoke inhalation, and St John confirmed one person was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
The firefighters did well to put the fire out, Mr Watkins said, and the fire showed the "value of smoke alarms".
A crew from Outram, one from the Mosgiel Volunteer Fire Brigade and two tankers from Wakari and Waihola attended. Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to battle the blaze.
Two fire investigators were working at the property yesterday to establish the cause of the fire, but it was understood it was not suspicious.
"We are pretty satisfied it's an accidental starting," Mr Watkins said.
The roof cavity and exterior wall and ceiling were damaged, and the rest of the house sustained smoke damage.
