An elderly Dunedin man was rescued by firefighters from his burning home yesterday following failed attempts by a group of men who tried to save him while explosions erupted from his house.
The sole occupant of the house on North Rd in Dunedin, appeared shocked to be out of the inferno as he was helped by the public, ash still on his face, to an ambulance.
A New Zealand Fire Service spokesman said fire crew were called to the fire about 1pm.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the fire was more significant than originally thought, the spokesman said.
Five fire appliances and a turntable ladder were deployed.
Telii Tekie, of Dunedin, said he was visiting a friend in North Rd when he heard screaming.
''I heard people screaming and yelling for help and I saw a bunch of men trying to break into the house through the windows.''
It was believed the occupant of the house was at the window, but the smoke and heat of the fire stopped about six men from being able to get to him, Mr Tekie said.
Garry Thomas, whose house was next door to the burning property, feared his neighbour was dead.
''There was an explosion and immediately flames were coming out of the window. We knew we couldn't get in, but our main concern was to get to him, to try to find him.
''We didn't know whether he had been knocked unconscious or whether the fumes had got him.''
Mr Thomas was shocked to see ''a ball of flames'' bursting from the house.
The occupant had lived there for about 20 years, he said.
Neighbours of the victim, who did not want to be named, said the man had a large collection of old televisions and motorbikes on his property which could have accelerated the fire.
As the fire developed, a black smoke cloud rose above North Rd, drawing about 100 people to the street to watch the house burn.
Police were called to assist with traffic control as the road became clogged with fire appliances and residents.
Late yesterday, a small section of North Rd remained closed to anyone who was not a resident, as firefighters and police monitored the smouldering remains of the house.
Firefighters washed off their gear after leaving the house as a decontamination precaution because of the age of the house, the New Zealand Fire Service spokesman said.
The cause of the fire was not yet known.
