Fordlands house destroyed in fire

FILE

People are being urged to look while they cook following a house fire in Fordlands.

An unattended cooking appliance has led to a Wrigley Rd home being destroyed during a fire last night.

Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Jim Prescott said the house was "well involved" by the time fire services arrived about 8pm.

Mr Prescott said, to his knowledge, a cooking appliance was left on while the occupant left the house.

When the occupant returned the house had caught fire and spread, Mr Prescott said.

No one was injured.

"It took two appliances and eight fire fighters about 10 minutes to extinguish," he said.

"[The house] was virtually destroyed."

He said the key message for people who cooked at home was to "keep looking while you're cooking".