Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) services were called to the house fire in Forth St, North Dunedin.
The fire raged through the two-storey property and extensively damaged at least one resident’s belongings.
A resident of the flat told the Otago Daily Times a few people were home in the flat at the time of the fire, but everyone got out in time and was safe.
A fire investigator visited the flat yesterday, the resident said.
"Everyone’s OK and that’s the important thing," he said.
Another resident of the flat said he had lost 95% of his belongings to the fire.
"We’re all fine though and that’s what matters."
"It was quite dramatic-looking. We walked down the road to see and there was just these orange flames raging through the dark sky.
"It was very intense and I feel for the people that live there. It sucks this happened so close to the end of the semester too."
She said she thought the firefighters on the scene did "an amazing job".
A Fenz spokeswoman said the fire service received a call about 10.20pm on Sunday.
One appliance each from the Willowbank and Dunedin stations initially attended. When it became apparent the fire was "well involved", additional engines were dispatched from St Kilda and Roslyn.
The fire had spread to multiple storeys of the house, Fenz said.
The fire was fully extinguished by 1.30am yesterday and there was no indication the blaze was suspicious, the spokeswoman said.
The fire drew a crowd of onlookers, and Fenz urged people to remain indoors. .
Part of Forth St was closed as firefighters got the blaze under control.
