South Island house in flames next door to Waipara School

The house is next to Waipara School, in the town of Waipara, just north of Christchurch. Photo / Google

A house is well involved in fire next to a school in the South Island.

Six fire crews were called at 3.10pm to the fire on Loffhagen Drive, Waipara - which is just north of Christchurch.

Southern Communications Centre shift manager Andrew Norris said the fire was beside Waipara School but was not threatening it.

"We don't expect any major problems," he said.

All people were accounted for.

The fire was earlier being treated as suspicious but that is no longer the case.