Fire has extensively damaged a home in Hillcrest, Rotorua.Emergency services were called to the blaze on Puriri St about 5.40pm last night.
At 6pm there were three appliances at the scene and an ambulance, and the street was blocked off entirely around the home.
One neighbour told the Rotorua Daily Post she went out for a cigarette about 5.45pm, shortly after lighting her own living room fire to heat her home.