The single-storey home near Hastings was destroyed in a fire, which tore through the rural house shortly before 8am on Monday morning. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
The single-storey home near Hastings was destroyed in a fire, which tore through the rural house shortly before 8am on Monday morning. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
A family of four has escaped a house fire near Hastings this morning.
The house in Aorangi Rd, Maraekakaho was completely razed by the inferno which tore through the rural residence shortly before 8am.
"The fire was raging," an eyewitness told Hawke's Bay Today.
The family of four, including a3-year-old and a baby born on Christmas day, were unharmed in the blaze but their dog is missing.
The house has been flattened. All that remains undamaged on the lifestyle property is a clothesline, chicken coop and paddling pool.
A fire service spokesman said when they arrived the house could not be saved and the firefighting effort went towards containing the fire in strong winds.
He said a spark from a lawnmower started a small grass fire yesterday and strong overnight winds likely caused the fire "from something smouldering underneath" the house.
