Firefighters have been praised for their efforts to control a roaring blaze which destroyed a house and nearly spread to neighbouring homes in Whakatu.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said three Hastings fire trucks were called to the fire on Railway Rd, Whakatu, at about 5.45am.
Hastings station officer Fred Housham said everyone in the house escaped.
He said the fire was put out relatively quickly, but firefighters remained on the scene until about 9.30am.