A fire investigator is reminding people to get their chimney cleaned regularly after the top storey of a Whangarei home was badly damaged in a blaze.
Fire crews from Kamo, Portland and Whangarei were called to the blaze on Raumanga Heights Drive about 11.50pm on Friday.
When they arrived the top storey of the house was engulfed in flames. Police also attended and an ambulance was called to treat one person for smoke inhalation.
Fire investigator Craig Bain said the fire is believed to have started after the chimney flue ignited timber.
"There's a fair bit of damage to the upper level of the house," he said.
"The message is be vary wary if you think you smell smoke, get it checked out. Get your flue cleaned regularly, a couple of times a year, especially if you use it regularly."
It's the second time in less than a year a home in Raumanga Heights Drive has been badly damaged in a fire.
In November last year a two-storey home was gutted in a blaze caused by a discarded cigarette butt.