Forgotten toasted sandwiches burn down Matamata house

The house was severely damaged by the fire. Photo/Supplied

A Matamata man was so tired he forgot about his dinner that he prepared and went to bed, waking up to find the house on fire.

Waikato fire safety officer Ross Fleet said the man got home late and made some toasted sandwiches.

But instead of eating them, he went to bed while they were cooking.

The man then woke to his home engulfed in flames just before 5.30am today.

The house was well involved in fire when firefighters arrived.

Fleet said 80 per cent of the house was destroyed in the blaze, which began on the kitchen bench top before burning a hole down into the floor and spreading.

Fleet said it was a timely reminder about unattended cooking. Together with the disposal of ashes, it is among the most common causes of house fires.

"It's an important reminder that we make sure everything is safe before we go to bed."