Firefighters removed an elderly man from a Tauranga house after neighbours spotted a blaze in his kitchen early this morning.
Fire Service Northern Communications shift supervisor Jaron Phillips said firefighters gained entry to the Carnie St, Gate Pa, house, where a small kitchen fire was ablaze, and found the man inside after being alerted at about 2.20am.
The man was treated at the scene for minor injuries but was not taken to hospital.
