KEY POINTS:
The Petueli family of Auckland had a lucky escape after their house caught fire yesterday.
Peter, Shirley and their 5-year-old son, Sam, were inside when flames engulfed their home in Coronation Rd, Hillcrest.
The fire, which has severely damaged the three-bedroom unit, started in the lounge at 2.05pm. The family are believed to have been in a different room at the time and did not notice the fire straight away.
The fire service northern communications centre received multiple calls about it from neighbours.
The fire quickly spread to the kitchen and then down the hallway.
Three appliances attended from Birkenhead, Takapuna and Albany.
Birkenhead station officer Dave Beatson said the blaze was well advanced when firefighters arrived.
It took about half an hour to get the flames under control.
The Petuelis escaped from their home after noticing the fire, but if they had installed smoke alarms they would have been alerted to it sooner, Mr Beatson said.
"The fire could possibly have been a lot smaller and the damage wouldn't have been so severe."
North Shore fire safety investigators are still investigating the cause.
The Petuelis, who are renting the house, are staying with Mr Petueli's mother, who said the family were distraught.
