The Fire Service says a family have been lucky to escape a fire which completely destroyed their home near Taupo early this morning, as there were no working smoke alarms.
The blaze began just after 2am.
Fire Service Lakes District assistant area manager Hamish Smith said there were three adults and a child inside, and they all managed to get out in the nick of time.
Mr Smith said there were ammunition belonging to an avid hunter, and gas canisters in the house, which made things more difficult.
He said the cause of the fire was being investigated but there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.
