Fire destroys house in one of country's most desired streets

The fire in Paritai Drive broke out around 2am today. Picture / Kelly Sutherland

A three-storey house on one of the country's most expensive streets was gutted by fire early today.

The occupants managed to escape when the fire broke out at the Paritai Drive home on Auckland's waterfront around 2am.

Two dogs were thought to have died in the fire but no people were hurt.

The house was worth about $1 million and there was little chance it would be restored, the owner said.

He had owned the house, which was fully insured, for about four years.

The owner, who described himself as an Auckland investment banker but did not want to be named, said he was stunned at the fire and had lost many personal possessions including furniture, books and photographs.

"The house was up for sale and had gone unconditional last week," he said. The purchaser had the opportunity to withdraw from the sale as the house appeared to be a write-off.

Fire safety officers at the house today said it appeared the fire may have started in faulty wiring, he said. He was not in the house when it caught fire.

"The house was unoccupied overnight," the owner said. "I have bought a house recently further up the street and I was living in that.

"It is just a disappointment for the purchaser and a pain in the butt for me to work through the issues and what to do with a house which is a burnt-out shell."

The owner said he was upset, particularly at losing all his personal effects, including a 30-year collection of business and sporting books, but it was a comfort that no-one was hurt.

"I am stunned, absolutely stunned," he said.

Fire Service spokesman Jaron Phillips said there was little firefighters could do to save the house, which was a virtual write-off.

A Mercedes car was also destroyed in the blaze.

- NZPA