Fire rips through roof of Lake Okareka house

A heat gun is believed to be the cause of a fire that ripped through the roof of a Lake Okareka home.

The Rotorua Fire Brigade was called to attend the fire on Calder Rd, shortly after 10am today.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a heat gun, used to remove paint from the exterior of the house.

The occupants of the house weren't home at the time, but contractors raised the alarm and used a garden hose to contain it the best they could.

The fire burnt out the roof void above a garage and upstairs bedroom.

Senior Station Officer Jim Prescott said Lake Okareka Rural Fire Party and Rotorua Fire Brigade brought the fire under control in six to eight minutes.

"Quite a lot of damage was done," he said.

"All it takes is a small hole between boards, a few spider webs and a bit of dust."

Nobody was injured in the fire.

Mr Prescott said the best method for people using a heat gun was to have a hose available and the ability to break into the wall cavity.

"People always worry about a small hole in their wall, but as we've seen today it can create a lot of damage."