Bluff Hill house fire: All occupants accounted for after blaze

The home on Napier's Bluff Hill was severely damaged during Monday night's fire. Photo / NZME

A fire has gutted a family home on Napier’s Bluff Hill.

Emergency services were called to the fire on Cobden Rd about 8.20pm on Monday night, with the blaze visible across large parts of the city.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said multiple 111 calls were received and the house was “well alight” when trucks arrived.

Four fire engines attended and firefighters had largely contained the fire by 8.50pm; crews left around 11.10pm.

All people living in the house were accounted for. Hato Hone St John ambulance was not required.

The fire on Napier's Bluff Hill could be seen across the city. Photo / Supplied

A neighbour, Claire Mackintosh, said the fire was “scary” and “shocking”.

“We did not realise at first, we came out when it was blazing.”

She said they could feel the heat from their property.

Mackintosh said a family lived at the home with young-adult children.

It was her understanding that they got out safely from the house, including their dogs.

Another nearby resident said she heard a bang before the fire.

A specialist fire investigator was expected at the scene on Tuesday morning to determine the cause of the fire.

Minutes before the Bluff Hill fire, firefighters were also called to a smoke-logged house on Hospital Hill, which was left to the occupants to ventilate.