The cause of a blaze that destroyed a Paengaroa home over the weekend was due to an accidental small fire, says Tauranga fire investigator Jon Rewi.
Maketu and Te Puke fire crews responded to numerous 111 calls after a report of fire at a single-storey two-bedroom home in Showground Rd just before 7.30pm on Saturday.
Mr Rewi told the Bay of Plenty Times that a man inside noticed a small fire near his garage and put it out with a jug of water, then left the property to go to work.
"Unfortunately it wasn't completely out and the smouldering fire grew into something more substantial, and when fire crews arrived the house was well involved," he said.
Mr Rewi said the fire may have possibly been started by a dropped cigarette but it was an accidental fire which had dire consequences for the occupants.