A house inside the red zone in Christchurch was severely damaged in a fire.
The Fire Service says three fire engines and a tanker were needed to extinguish the flames which totally engulfed the property on Avonside Drive at 6.50am on Sunday.
Fire crews took water from a nearby river to protect surrounding properties and the fire is now under control.
The Fire Service says the house was unoccupied and it is now investigating the cause.