House fire leaves man in critical condition

A man was rushed to hospital in critical condition after he was caught in a house fire on Montgomery Rd in Whanganui at 12.00pm on Wednesday.

Whanganui Fire Station assistant area commander Scott Bell said the fire started in the conservatory and quickly spread to the roof.

"One male patient with severe burns has been transported to hospital in critical condition," he said.

Five fire fighter crews, six police cars and two ambulances arrived at the scene. A second alarm was signalled amidst fears the fire could spread up the surrounding hills.

Mr Bell said fire fighter crews managed to get on top of the fire before it got out of control.

Montgomery Rd was closed off for an hour while emergency services dealt with the incident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Two firefighter crews searched the two storey building and no one else was found.