A Gisborne mother saved her four young children and the family dog from their burning home at the weekend.
Ani Cooper says she was making lunch for her four children - aged 8, 6, 5 and 1 - on Saturday when she heard her son scream.
Ms Cooper says she thought the children were just playing until the smoke alarm went off and it took less than two minutes for her home to become engulfed by flames.
The family is staying in a two-bedroom house with Ms Cooper's parents and two brothers, until Housing New Zealand finds alternative accommodation.
It is believed the fire started when one of the children was playing with a lighter.
