Fire at Coutts' house not suspicious - Fire Service

A fire at an Arrowtown property owned by yachting star Russell Coutts on Monday night was not suspicious, the Fire Service says.

The multi-million dollar holiday home was destroyed in the blaze that started around 7pm.

A 48-year-old neighbour who went to look at the fire collapsed and died at the scene, but the death did not seem to be related to the fire.

Arrowtown volunteer fire brigade chief fire officer Garry Hall said there was "definitely nothing suspicious about the fire whatsoever".

Police were still trying to contact the dead neighbour's next of kin, he said.

Fire safety officer Mike Cahill said a preliminary scene examination had been completed but investigators still needed to speak to some people.

The home had been gutted for renovations and was empty at the time, Mr Hall said.

Five fire appliances and between 30 and 35 firefighters fought the blaze.

- NZPA