Woman escapes Waikanae house fire

Fire fighters were called to a single storey two-unit block of flats on Arthur Grove about 7.30pm. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A woman has narrowly escaped a fire at her home in Waikanae this evening.

Fire fighters were called to a single storey two-unit block of flats on Arthur Grove about 7.30pm.

A neighbour said the fire started in the front unit and woman was home at the time, but she had managed to get out.

A woman distraught after escaping a fierce fire that gutted her flat on Arthur Grove in Waikanae. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The neighbour was putting items for sale on Trade Me when he looked out the window and saw the fire.

"There was smoke and flames fiercely burning across the road," he said.

"She apparently escaped, but only just. It went up quickly. All the neighbours rushed out. She got out unscathed, but only just."

The neighbour said there was an elderly lady in the back unit of the flats. She was also safe.

Police and ambulance were also at the scene and a Fire Service spokesman said nobody was injured.

Four fire trucks, from Waikanae and Paraparaumu, were battling the blaze.