The single occupant was alerted to the flames by neighbours banging on his windows.
They assisted him out and he was uninjured.
"The person was very lucky to have escaped with their life."
People needed to remember to "keep looking while they are cooking" and to never cook while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
"It's a recipe for disaster."
Fire crews were there for about 2-and-a-half hours and returned again later in the morning to carry out final checks.
It is unknown whether the unit had smoke alarms but it was always a good idea for people to check they had working ones installed, he said.
Hastings firefighters were also called to a crash on SH50 near Paki Paki at about 10am after a truck carrying vegetables rolled into a ditch.
The driver received moderate injuries and was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital.