Man, 96, saved as house burns

A 96-year-old Mangapai man lost everything in a major house fire. Photo / Supplied

Neighbours are rallying around a 96-year-old Northland man who lost his home and his entire life's collections in a devastating fire.

Fire appliances were called to the Mangapai blaze about 4.40am yesterday. When they arrived, the 100-year-old Thompson Rd villa was fully involved in flames.

Fire investigator Craig Bain said everything had been destroyed.

"There are all these antiques and hundreds of books filled with poetry and novels - all this stuff this guy has collected during his life," he said.

Portland fire brigade Chief Fire Officer Steven Wells said the man, who had recently lost his wife, was devastated but neighbours had rallied around to support him.

He said one neighbour was feeding his calves when he spotted the fire, ran down to check it out, and escorted the elderly man out of his home. Another, who thought the blaze was a scrub fire, called emergency services immediately. "They're a pretty tight-knit community and I believe different neighbours had been checking up on him after his wife died," he said.

Fire appliances spent three hours extinguishing the blaze.

Mr Bain said the man had heard rats in the roof before the smoke alarms woke him up. He said it was possible the fire was caused by an electrical fault, due to rats nibbling on cords.

The incident was a prime example of how smoke alarms could save lives, Mr Bain said.