Remote rural house razed in blaze

Police and Rural Fire Service personnel at the scene of the house fire in Okahutiria Rd, Waverley.

A Waverley house was fully engulfed in flames which raged for four hours yesterday before the Fire Service extinguished the blaze.

A police spokesman said the fire was on Okahutiria Rd, and the building was extensively damaged.

Fire Service spokesman Murray Dunbar said they got a callout at 11.59am from someone passing by.

Two appliances attended the fire but found the house had collapsed when they arrived.

Mr Dunbar did not know if the incident had resulted in a fatality.

The property was totally destroyed.

"I can't confirm whether there was someone in the building or not. It was a pile of rubble."

Mr Dunbar said no one was in the vicinity when the fire appliances arrived.

Waverley Fire Station Chief Alan Hickford said fire services from Hawera and Taranaki also attended the blaze.

"Hawera responded initially with the Hawera water tanker. But because of where it was we couldn't get vehicle access to it. Taranaki rural fire crews came in and helped us out."

Mr Dunbar said the fire was fully extinguished at 4.30pm.

Police were called to assist during the incident. Detective Craig Jackson said they arrived at the scene mid-afternoon.

Mr Jackson said there would be an investigation into the incident.

"Obviously it's a bit hard out here, with no neighbours for miles," he said.

Security guards would be keeping watch over the area.