Monastery occupants escape fire

Tyburn Monastery. File photo / Ben Fraser

Fourteen people escaped unharmed after a fire at a monastery south of Auckland early this morning.

Fire ripped thorough the sleeping quarters at the Tyburn Monastery on Chamberlain Rd, Bombay, about 12.30am, northern fire communications centre shift manager Scott Osmond said.

An occupant contacted the Fire Service and the blaze was extinguished, but not before doing extensive damage to the "house-sized" building.

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

According to its website, the Benedictine monastery was set up by Tyburn Nuns as a centre of monastic spirituality and hospitality in the Auckland Diocese.

"The Monastery is set in the beautiful countryside of the Bombay Hills. The property has a stream, several fresh water springs and a native bush reserve. "The nuns have established an orchard, a 'monastery garden' for guests and a beautiful bush walk for both visitors and nuns."

A fire safety officer will investigate what started the blaze.