Northlanders are being urged not to leave electronic devices charging on beds or other flammable surfaces after an over-heated vape started a fire and destroyed a house in Kaitaia.
The fire broke out about 2.20am on Thursday at Masters Place, off Bonnetts Rd.
Volunteers from the Kaitaia Fire Brigade were quick to put out the blaze but the Housing NZ home is believed to be too badly damaged to repair.
Fire investigator Craig Bain said it appeared a device, thought to be a vape, had been left charging on a bed overnight.
"'It has over-charged and the unit has heated the bedding and set it on fire. It's a reminder when you charge these things, to do it on a surface that can't burn, such as a bench top in the kitchen.''