No cause has been officially declared for the fire that destroyed a house on the Karikari Peninsula in the early hours of Tuesday morning - it was not connected to electricity - but the family were blaming a 'mozzie zapper.'
David Manuel, whose home is just metres from the house that was razed, said he could not be absolutely sure about the cause, but he would not be using that type of insect repellent.
All five occupants had got out safely, he added, although his 75-year-old father had suffered minor burns to his head and back.
Three vehicles parked near the house were heat-damaged.
The alarm was raised at 1.13am, crews from Karikari, Rangiputa, Mangonui and Kaitaia responding. First on the scene was Kaitaia's Chief Fire Officer, Colin Kitchen (who lives at nearby Whatuwhiwhi), Mr Manuel saying it was some 20 minutes later that the first appliance arrived.