Community drop-offs for the family in Alexandra, Cromwell and Ettrick have been organised for donations of children’s toys and clothing and a Givealittle page has been set up.
The Otago Daily Times understands the family has five children aged between 1 and 16.
Fire crews from Alexandra, Roxburgh and Millers Flat were called to the roof fire near Shingle Creek about 3pm on Wednesday
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said the fire was ‘‘well involved’’ when crews arrived at the scene.
Damage to the house was ‘‘substantial’’, the roof of the single-storey home having collapsed at 4.30pm, she said.
A Roxburgh fire crew was called back to the house just early yesterday morning after a security guard noticed smoke.
The house was dampened down again and firefighters left shortly after.
Investigators were on site yesterday to examine the scene and determine the cause of the fire.
