Timing of fire 'lucky' for occupants

The garage on a Ohinemutu property was extensively damaged by fire yesterday afternoon.

The occupants of an Ohinemutu property were lucky a fire that gutted their garage didn't happen at night, a senior firefighter says.

The Rotorua Fire Brigade was called to the blaze near the intersection of Ariariterangi St and Arataua St about 3.20pm yesterday.

The garage was "fully involved" when two fire crews arrived but they were able to prevent the fire spreading to the rest of the two-storey house.

Neighbour and Rotorua district councillor Trevor Maxwell arrived home and saw the fire.

"I thought it was lucky that someone phoned [the fire service] quickly and caught it early," he said.

Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Richard Anastasi said there were two people at the property at the time. One was treated for minor smoke inhalation.

There was damage to the garage and "quite a bit of smoke damage to the rest of the house", he said

Mr Anastasi was unsure if smoke alarms had been fitted.

"The occupants were lucky it didn't happen at night time. It's important to have a smoke alarm installed so people at home could be alerted sooner - we can't emphasis how important it is.

"We are more than happy to provide advice and install an alarm and carry put a fire safety check on any property for free."

Mr Anastasi said the cause of the fire was under investigation, but it wasn't being treated as suspicious.