Apartment fire in central Hamilton spreads to two vehicles

Firefighters and Wel Networks staff at the fire of the apartment complex on Claudelands Rd this afternoon. Photo / Belinda Feek

A Hamilton, his wife and their dog escaped with less than a minute to spare before their central apartment went up in flames.

The man, who didn't want to be named, told the Herald his wife smelt smoke in the bottom storey of their Claudelands Rd apartment and discovered the fire before yelling for them all to get outside.

He estimates less than 60 seconds later there was an explosion, with the apartment catching fire and the flames spreading to their vehicles parked in their driveway.

The man believes the blaze was caused by their clothes dryer, which was going in the garage, catching fire.

Firefighters were called at 2.18pm and as it was an apartment complex - involving six units - it was upgraded to a second alarm, northern fire and emergency shift manager Colin Underdown said.

Wel Networks were also called and at 4pm were still looking to isolate the gas main which was still burning with ferocity.

An apartment, pictured, on the left appears to have also suffered minor smoke and water damage from the blaze. Photo / Belinda Feek

Waikato fire area manager Daryl Trim said the apartment fire had been contained by 3pm.

The resident said they all escaped uninjured - even their kitten managed to flee in the panic.

Despite losing everything they did have somewhere to stay tonight, however he was unsure what would happen next and how long it would before it could get repaired, or more likely, re-built.

A gas main continues to burn at the scene this afternoon, more than 90 minutes after the apartment burst into flames. Photo / Belinda Feek