A family of four has escaped a house fire near Hastings this morning.
The house in Aorangi Rd, Maraekakaho was completely razed by the inferno which tore through the rural residence shortly before 8am.
"The fire was raging," an eyewitness told Hawke's Bay Today.
The family of four, including a 3-year-old and a baby born on Christmas day, were unharmed in the blaze but their dog is missing.
The house has been flattened. All that remains undamaged on the lifestyle property is a clothesline, chicken coop and paddling pool.