An array of fire appliances descended on a burning hay stack on the outskirts of Makarora on Saturday afternoon.
Spontaneous combustion was believed to have been the cause of the fire, which destroyed a hay stack and a small cottage.
Wanaka Fire and Emergency New Zealand Chief Fire Officer Garth Campbell said yesterday the fire began about 4.15pm in a small stack of hay bales and then spread to a pile of firewood and a small cottage he believed was used for homestays.
The fire was prevented from reaching a nearby house, but it took the combined efforts of the Makarora, Lake Hawea, Wanaka, Luggate and Tarras volunteer fire brigades to put the fire out.
Gusty northwesterlies and high temperatures fanned the flames.