A build up of lint in a clothes dryer was the cause of a fire which tore through a Rotorua home, a fire investigator says.
The Rotorua Fire Brigade spent several hours at a Sala St property last Friday dampening down a blaze which claimed most of the family's possessions.
The homeowners were woken in the middle of the night by the sound of the windows breaking and were able to escape uninjured. The couple were the only occupants in the house which they had owned for more than 30 years.
Fire safety investigator Stuart Booten said the fire originated from the clothes dryer.
"There was a build up of lint in the dryer which caused it to overheat and catch fire," Mr Booten said.
"The dryer was being used that night and the fire just spread from the washroom, into the lounge and kitchen and up the hallway into the bedrooms.
"There is a safety message for people who use the dryer to clean the lint filter before or after each use. It is also important if it's an older dryer to maybe have a qualified person to remove the back and clean the motor, lint is so fine and it can get everywhere and build up in all sort of nooks."
The house was not fitted with smoke alarms and Mr Booten said although they would not have prevented the fire, they would have given an early warning to evacuate.
"This could have ended in tragedy, a minute longer and the fire probably would have blocked their way out of the house. A working smoke alarm and an escape plan do save lives and it's extremely important to check their [smoke alarm's] batteries and keep them maintained."
Homeowner Gary Sanders had said he was overwhelmed by the public generosity shown to him and his family following the fire.
Local residents have contacted the Rotorua Daily Post with offers of accommodation and furniture while Superfurn Rotorua have also said they would help with emergency furnishings.
