“We responded with one operations manager, but our services were not required,” a St John statement said.
No other buildings were at risk.
Southland District councillor Sarah Greaney told the Herald “it is just tragic”.
“In a small community there’s a much broader impact because very often our firefighters are close to the people involved,” Greaney said.
“My thoughts are with everyone and anyone who has been impacted, these are traumatic situations for anybody to have to go through.”
The cause of the blaze is unexplained and police, including the Criminal Investigations Branch, will continue to have a presence at the scene.
