St Alban's house fire: Owner speaks out after house destroyed

'Smoke alarms save lives': Christchurch home destroyed in fire. Video / ODT

The occupant of a Christchurch house that was badly damaged in an early morning fire on Monday has credited smoke alarms for saving her life.

Fire and Emergency NZ responded to a report of a house fire on Malvern St in St Albans just after 3am.

The home's occupant allowed Star News to film the damage to the house on Monday, which was extensive.

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The woman, who did not want to be named, wanted to get across the message that "working smoke alarms save lives".

A southern fire communication shift manager said the single storey house was well ablaze when three crews - two from Christchurch and one from the Anzac station - arrived.

Photo / Geoff Sloan

The fire was contained by about 4.30am.

Photo / Geoff Sloan

The cause of the blaze is unknown at this stage and a fire safety investigator has not been requested. It is not thought to be suspicious.

Photo / Geoff Sloan

St John attended and treated one person who did not require transportation to hospital. The injuries were minor and not fire-related.