A fire that destroyed a small greenhouse shed and part of a fence on a Tamatea property early yesterday morning came close to spreading to the house after heat caused a nearby window to crack.
The fire broke out about 12.15am while the occupants of the house, and people in three close neighbouring houses, were all asleep.
The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the first he knew something was wrong was after hearing noises outside and seeing the reflections of flashing red emergency lights.
"I looked out and saw a fireman walking past the window so got up and then the doorbell rang - it was another fireman."
One of the staff at the neighbouring Fern Motel had been alerted to the fire by one of the guests. "It was really going up."