A Rotorua home has been gutted by fire - just half an hour after its occupier left for a Christmas holiday.
Fire services were called to the two-bedroom flat, alongside the driving range at Lakeview Golf and Country Club on State Highway 5, around 5.40pm last night.
It was well ablaze when the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade crew arrived but they had the fire under control within a short time, said Ngongotaha acting chief fire officer Michael Lepper.
Crews from Rotorua and Mamaku stations also attended.
The flat's occupier, who did not want to be named, sat looking at the remains of his home in shock last night.