Mt Lyford fire: House destroyed in blaze that threatened other buildings and had residents ready to evacuate

A house at Mt Lyford has been destroyed after fire today. Photo / George Heard

A fire that threatened a small South Island alpine village and had residents ready to evacuate has been brought under control.

The blaze at Mt Lyford village in North Canterbury started with a fire at a house before spreading to surrounding vegetation.

A house has been destroyed in the fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) crews were first alerted to the fire at 11.13am.

“There are 16 Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews from Waiau, Hurunui, Lyford, Culverden in attendance, working to extinguish the fire,” Fenz said in a statement.

“The house is fully involved in fire. A nearby vegetation fire, believed to have been caused by the house fire, is now contained.”

A house at Mt Lyford in North Canterbury has been destroyed after fire today. Photo / George Heard

However, by early afternoon Fenz said the house fire was also under control.

Waiau chief fire officer Chris Scarlett said the local fire crew responded quickly.

“If they were five minutes later... we possibly would have lost the neighbour’s house as well,” Scarlett said.

He said a number of the local community are also members of the fire brigade but others also stepped in.

“They were very quick to help out in any way they can, and they know what to do when to evacuate them.

“They actually set up a Civil Defence evacuation for the village, so that worked really well.”

The homeowner was not home when the blaze started today. Photo / George Heard

It’s understood that the homeowner was not at the property when the blaze started this morning.

“There was no one unaccounted for in the house, and no one has sustained any injuries,” Fenz said.

“A vegetation fire related to the house fire is contained.”

Hato Hone St John said they received a call at 11.33am about an incident on Cloudy Range Terrace, Lyford and sent one ambulance.

Residents were also sent a prepare to evacuate notice, which has since been lifted.

Local fire crews rushed to the scene. Photo / George Heard

Police earlier said they were helping emergency services after being notified at 11.17am.

“All occupants of the house have been accounted for and the fire, which initially spread to surrounding bushland, is now reported to be under control,” a statement said.

Scarlett is urging members of the public to remain vigilant.

“Even though we’re back to open fire season, just be really careful...canterbury is pretty dry at the moment,” he said.