Family escapes dramatic house fire

A family managed to escape a dramatic house fire in Invercargill yesterday.

Flames up to 10 metres high were erupting from the older wooden villa on Eye St when firefighters arrived shortly after 9.48pm, Invercargill fire station officer Colin Russell said.

"It was quite a dramatic fire," he told NZPA.

Two adults and a child managed to escape but suffered mild smoke inhalation.

They were taken to Invercargill Hospital for assessment and were later discharged.

Mr Russell said the fire had spread to an adjoining hedge by the time firefighters arrived.

"The house next door was seriously under threat," he said.

Firefighters worked to ensure the neighbouring house was safe before tackling the main blaze.

Eighteen firefighters from four engines spent several hours extinguishing the fire.

They also dealt with three 9kg liquid petroleum gas cylinders in the house.

Fire Safety officers were investigating how the blaze started.

- NZPA