Remote South Island homes damaged in overnight blazes

Two homes in remote areas of the South Island were extensively damaged overnight by fire. Photo / File

Two homes in remote areas of Canterbury have been destroyed by fire overnight.

Fire Service southern communications shift manager Andrew Norris said firefighters had to make long journeys to reach the burning properties in Gore Bay and Otira.

Norris said the first house fire broke out at 9.43pm on Cathedral Rd. It took firefighters 20 minutes to drive from Cheviot to the burning property.

"On arrival the house was well involved and it took several hours to put the fire out," said Norris.

The property was extensively damaged, he said, but everyone escaped unscathed.

And at 1.30am firefighters were called to a blaze at an old house in the settlement of Otira on the West Coast side of Arthurs Pass.

He said it was a 25-minute drive to the house, which by then was burning fiercely.

"It's basically been destroyed."

He said the home's sole occupant managed to get out of the house, which did not have electricity.

Neither fire is considered suspicious.