Eleven appliances fight Southland house fire

Fire crews raced to a blaze at a rural property in Southland this morning amid fears there were people trapped inside the house.

Crews from the Riverton, Wallacetown, Thornbury, Orepuki, Otautau and Invercargill stations responded to the fire in Longwood Rd near the Orepuki Riverton Highway at 9.30am.

Those who raised the alarm believed people were inside the property, prompting Riverton firefighters to call for backup, , a Fire and Emergency spokesman said.

When crews arrived, it was confirmed everyone had made it out safely but the fire was well involved, causing a third alarm to be called.

There were 11 appliances at the scene.

By 2.30pm, the fire was fully under control with hotspots dampened and crews had left the scene.

A fire investigator had determined the fire was not suspicious and further investigations were ongoing.

laine.priestley@odt.co.nz