A house at one of Otago's most significant heritage locations has been destroyed by fire.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews were notified of a fire at Matanaka Farm in Matanaka Rd near Waikouaiti, at about 3.15 pm yesterday.
The farmstead which burned down is understood to have been constructed on the original location of whaler Johnny Jones' homestead. Jones owned the property from 1838 to 1869.
When firefighters arrived they found the homestead at the heritage attraction and active farm "well-involved" with a significant fire.
There was a partial collapse of the two-storey residential house as crews with hose reels began an external attack.