Man saves daughter from burning house

A man saved his young daughter by throwing her out a window of a burning house in Kaikoura last night.

The youngster, 4, was shaken but unhurt.

The girl's father suffered burns to his face and hands when he fled outdoors through the flames.

Jan Wills, shift supervisor at the Fire Service's southern communications centre, said the kitchen was engulfed in flames about 8.30pm after the man fell asleep while cooking.

She added the man and child were alone in the rented house.

Ms Wills was unable to say why the man didn't follow his daughter out the window instead of running to safety through the flames.

The flames gutted, the kitchen, lounge and dining area.

- NZPA