Three neighbouring properties in Blenheim were badly damaged by fire overnight.
The Fire Service were called to the houses on Warwick Street about 1.50am, Fire Service spokesman Riwai Grace said.
It took six fire trucks about four hours to put the fire out which caused "quite a lot'' of damage to the houses.
No one was at the properties when the fire started, he said.
A Fire Safety officer was visiting the scene this morning to investigate the cause of the fire.
