A priest had to "shimmy'' down a fire escape this morning when his Invercargill home went on fire in a suspected arson.
Emergency services were called to a Tyne St property next to St. Mary's Basilica about 1.15am this morning, to find flames showing from the downstairs area of the two-storey building.
Eighteen firefighters attended the scene and had the fire under control by around 3am.
![The burnt out residence. Photo / ODT](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WLTNSFGGAEJDNQ4B7RAGH6N3JU.jpg?auth=2979b3185e06d68482e3eac54e36c450741b89cb0d84f5241bcfbb735120863f&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)
The fire engulfed the residence of St. Mary's parish priest, Christopher O'Neil, who said he woke to smoke alarms during the night.