Fire crews from across Wellington battled a huge house fire that threatened neighbouring homes.
Eyewitnesses said smoke was seen coming out of the Yule Street, Kilbirnie, property about 8am and shortly afterwards a loud bang was heard - believed to be LPG bottles exploding.
Witnesses described seeing a person use a hose to initially fight the flames, but then heat suddenly increased and neighbours had flee their homes.
Fire crews doused the area between houses to the south and east to stop the fire spreading.
Fire and Emergency said everyone in the home had been accounted for, and one person had been taken to hospital.
A spokesperson said seven fire trucks from across the city and two aerial appliances were used to fight the blaze.
The fire sent smoke billowing over the suburb. Photo: RNZ / Robert Whitaker
A resident two doors down from the house, Sam, said fire investigators were going to assess his property for smoke damage.
Smoke was still pouring out of the house after the flames were extinguished Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Assistant Fire Commander Des Irving said he says he understood were renovations at the property and fire investigators will look into it.
Flames were extinguished but smoke was still pouring out from under the roof, which firefighters feared might cave in.
Firefighters dousing the Yule Street house. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Big house fire in Rongotai this morning, fanned by strong winds pic.twitter.com/qvD5yC9bOk
— Carl Shuker (@CarlShuker) February 1, 2022
