Fire that engulfed house near Oamaru now out

A house fire that crews initially struggled to douse as it was engulfed by flames in North Otago this morning is now out.

Crews from across the area were deployed shortly before 9am to reports of a home fully involved in fire on the Tokarahi-Tapui Rd, inland from Oamaru and about 14km due south of Duntroon.

Weston Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Bevan Koppert said the fire was out and crews left the scene at about 1pm.

Earlier, Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman Mau Barbara said crews were struggling to contain the blaze, due to a shortage of water.

It kept reigniting, he said.

Smoke rises from a house on fire near Oamaru this morning. Photo: Rebecca Ryan
Smoke rises from a house on fire near Oamaru this morning. Photo: Rebecca Ryan

The arrival of a water tanker about 10.15am helped them get the fire under control.

Crews from Duntroon, Weston, Oamaru, Kurow and the Waitaki Voluntary Rural Fire Force attended the fire.