The stoic owner of a Queenstown house damaged by fire early on Wednesday morning is beginning the clean-up job, thankful that no-one was hurt.
Bruce Armitage, originally from the West Coast but living in Auckland, says his tenants and their baby managed to get out safely, woken about 2.30am by the smoke alarms.
It appears the fire spread inside from an outside fireplace attached to the million-dollar-plus house, in Pioneer Court in Jacks Point.
One room is gutted while the others are mainly smoke-damaged, covered in a layer of black grime.
"I'm just really thankful the smoke detectors worked well and the people got out and no-one was hurt," Mr Armitage said.
"The rest of it, it's only stuff, at the end of the day.
"It's a big setback and a massive job but we'll get it sorted out and move forward."
It was extinguished by 3.50am.
Fire investigator Marty Jillings has concluded his on-site investigation. He was unavailable for comment yesterday.
"The fire brigade did an absolutely fantastic job," Mr Armitage said.
"They got here very quickly apparently and put the fire out.
"They deserve a huge amount of credit. They're volunteers and it's incredible what they do, amazing.
"No-one was to blame for the fire, it's accidental, subject to the fire investigator's final conclusion, but that's what they think," he said.
The property was built five years ago as a rental/retirement property for Mr Armitage, by Classic Builders. The company has offered to help out.
Mr Armitage also praised his insurance company, Tower Insurance, and property managers, Batchcare.
"Good people in Queenstown."
