A family's home in Kawakawa has been badly damaged in a fire.
When firefighters arrived the single-storey house on Whiteman Rd, off North Rd near Bay of Islands College, was burning fiercely and there were concerns a shift worker could have been asleep inside.
Fire chief Wayne Martin said crews from Kawakawa, Paihia and Kerikeri fought the blaze while inquiries in the area - plus a search of the house by firefighters in breathing apparatus - established that no one was inside.
The flames had got up into the ceiling cavity and caused extensive damage to the rented family home. Firefighters were at the scene for more than three hours, Mr Martin said.
Power was off at the time because lines company Top Energy was carrying out maintenance in the area. The initial call-out was for a barbecue on fire.
