A massive blaze in an East Gore rental property has shaken neighbours and provided a less than subtle reminder for people to check their smoke alarms.
Former Gore district councillor Ralph Beale said he was driving in the township just before lunch yesterday when he noticed a large plume of thick black smoke.
"So I just threw a right, and headed straight for it."
When he got to the scene in Gordon Tce, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) had still not arrived and the flames were shooting up to 3m out the windows.
Another witness said the fire charred the lawn and melted flower pots as smoke and flames billowed out of the roof.
Mr Beale said the only good thing about it was that there was no-one in the house, and there was no wind.
"It was lucky, otherwise it could have been a serious concern for neighbours — it could have spread to their properties too.
"It was just full-on, vertical flame, you know, that deep, deep red, and then that black smoke, which would suggest that it’s either synthetic carpet or sofas or chairs ... which will kill you in a heartbeat if you inhale any of that stuff.
"The firefighters would have to have had breathing apparatus on to get anywhere near to it."
It was another six minutes before fire appliances arrived.
A Fenz spokesman said emergency services were alerted to the fire at 12 noon, and four crews from Gore, Pukerau and Mataura arrived soon after to find the house "fully involved".
They quickly worked to combat the flames and the fire was subdued by 12.45pm.
The Fenz spokesman said no-one was injured and the fire was not being treated as suspicious.
Mr Beale said the damage to the property was significant.
"The intensity of the fire — I’d say it’ll probably be a bulldozer job."
Certainly, it had given everyone in the street quite a fright.
"I’ve heard quite a few people this afternoon say, ‘oh, right on Christmas for someone — not good timing at the best of times’.
"I think it’s a good reminder to check your fire alarms."
