Man rescued after chimney collapses on him in Invercargill

A man has been rescued following frantic efforts to demolish a chimney which collapsed on his arm leaving him with serious injuries in Invercargill this morning.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman confirmed they had received reports a man was trapped on Pomona St this morning.

A police spokesman confirmed they were called to Pomona St at 9.43am.

After they arrived firefighters began frantically smashing down a chimney on the roof in an effort to reach the trapped man.

By 11am the man, who was middle-aged, had been rescued and taken into care of ambulance staff.

Two fire appliances were in attendance on Pomona St Invercargill after reports a man was trapped after a chimney collapsed. Photo / Giordano Stolley

The man was conscious when he was loaded into a St John ambulance about 11am and transported to Southland Hospital.

St John said in a media alert the man suffered serious injuries.

Invercargill senior station officer Gordon Rodgers said the house was being renovated when the six metre chimney became unstable and fell on a contractor leaving him with a bloody injury.

About 4m of chimney fell on the man injuring his arm, Rodgers said.

Both the contractor and a woman who lived at the house remained "very calm" throughout the rescue.

The chimney was old and had not been used for some time.

A reporter at the scene said there were two fire appliances in attendance and a command unit.