10 Jan 2009

Whitby fire forces residents out of homes

6:26 am on 10 January 2009

A fire caused a number of people to flee their homes in the Wellington suburb of Whitby early on Saturday.

The blaze, shortly after 2am, caused one house to be almost completely destroyed.

Fire crews say the heat threatened at least two neighbouring properties and their occupants were forced out into the night until the danger passed.

The house that was destroyed appeared to be empty and investigations into what started the fire are continuing.