The owners have been left "devastated" after a fire engulfed their home. It started just minutes after they left for Oamaru yesterday.
"It’s all gone," the owner, who asked not to be named, said.
All family members were safe and no-one was injured.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews arrived at the house, between Palmerston and Waikouaiti, about 10.15am and found it ablaze.
Appliances from Waikouaiti, Palmerston and Waitati attended. It took about an hour to extinguish the fire.
Fire crews remained at the scene dampening hot spots and assisting the family until about 4.45pm, he said.
A fire investigator also attended the scene. The cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
A police spokeswoman said police also attended the fire on State Highway 1 and helped fire crews.
