Hundreds of litres of milk was poured on a storage shed fire, slowing its spread towards a home in Hilderthorpe near State Highway 1, north of Oamaru, yesterday.
Oamaru Volunteer Fire Brigade Station Officer Malcolm McIntosh said quick thinking by nearby dairy farmer Hayden Williams, of Oamaru, helped save the family home.
Mr Williams was heading off in his truck and milk tanker unit to feed his 450 calves when he saw smoke coming from the property and drove there to help.
''I tried ringing and no-one answered so I went and investigated.
''I decided to take matters into my own hands after I called 111.''