A Dunedin man who lost his home to a blaze in St Clair overnight says he is relieved the family got out safely.
Fire tore through the Allandale Rd house shortly before 3am today.
The occupants awoke and got out in time, but three were taken to hospital, including Luke Chapman.
"Glad everyone is safe," he said in a text message to the Otago Daily Times.
Mr Chapman said five people were in the house.
Of those taken to hospital, two were treated for minor injuries and he was treated for moderate burns, he said.
He would be staying in hospital overnight.
Two others in the house were treated at the scene for minor injuries, he said.
He also appreciated friends' offers of support and community concern and generosity, he said.
Mr Chapman is the head of production at Allied Productions, which is linked to the Allied Press media network, including the ODT.
A Givealittle page for the family said the fire spread quickly and they barely made it out in time.
"Their home is gone. All their clothes, furniture, keepsakes - everything up in smoke."
Video: Grant Saunders
Fire investigator Scottie Cameron said this afternoon the fire had been classed as accidental.
"We're going through the process to determine the cause of the fire," he said.
Firefighters were working with the Dunedin City Council regarding the building's safety, he said.
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 crew members and eight trucks were fighting the fire at its peak.
Neighbours Angelo and Mai Lukban woke before 3am to what they thought was the sound of fireworks.
"It sounded like an improvised cannon," Mr Lukban said.
They could then see smoke, and flames.
Mrs Lukban said she was worried initially the wind direction could bring the fire towards their house.
Firefighting crews arrived quickly, the couple said.
This afternoon, a digger being transported to the site fell off a delivery truck.
No action was required by police.
