An extended family of five's Bridge Pa house was badly damaged by fire last night.
A neighbour and relative of the family, who were out at the time, said her grandson alerted her to the fire.
The woman, who asked to not be named, said two of her grandsons ran to the Ngatarawa Rd house but could not gain entry.
"The house was fully lit," she said.
Fire engines and water tankers sped to the the newly-renovated stuccoed house.