Man dies in fire at yachtsman's property

A man has died at the scene of a fire at a house owned by a prominent New Zealand sportsman in Arrowtown last night.

The multi-million dollar holiday home of international yachting star Russell Coutts caught fire and was destroyed.

Arrowtown chief fire officer Garry Hall said a neighbour had gone to have a look at the fire and had collapsed at the scene.

An ambulance was called but the 48-year-old died.

Five fire appliances and between 30 and 35 firefighters fought the blaze which started about 7pm.

The home had been gutted for renovations and was empty at the time, Mr Hall said.

Fire safety officers were today investigating the cause of the fire.

- NZPA