The Waipawa family lost everything after the fire destroyed their home. Photo/Duncan Brown
Firefighters are battling a blaze which has engulfed a house on Johnson Street, Waipawa.
Appliances from Waipawa, Otane and Waipukurau were called just after 7am this morning.
Fire communications shift manager David Meikle said the house was "well alight when they arrived".
There are no injuries.
Senior constable John Flack said all five occupants were out safely by the time he had arrived at the scene.
As a precaution, they were taken to the Waipukurau medical centre. It is understood two grandparents, their two grandchildren and a friend were in the house.
A family friend said they were a lovely family.
They have a child with cerebral palsy.
"They have worked for years to make it a family home. It was so beautiful."
More to come.
'The younger ones are quite likely to be more militant about it.'