Whanganui firefighters were called to a Gonville house fire Thursday morning just as they were dealing with a raft of storm-related callouts.
The sole occupant escaped the Kauri St home after being alerted by a smoke alarm.
The fire started in the roof at about 9am, Wanganui fire senior station officer Craig Gardiner said.
It was not weather related but the wind did help spread the flames with the fire leaving a gaping hole in the roof.
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