Firefighters battle Invercargill house fire

A house in the rural outskirts of Invercargill has been extensively damaged by fire this afternoon.

Southern Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Mau Barbara said it was called to the blaze on Avon Rd, Tisbury about 2.20pm.

On the way to the blaze firefighters could see the house was well alight and they arrived to find it "totally involved".

Firefighters from Kingswell and Invercargill were initially called to the blaze but asked for extra backup from Wallacetown.

As of about 2.45pm four fire appliances, two tankers and about 20 firefighters were at the scene.

All occupants of the house had been accounted for and were not injured.

 

Southland Fenz Assistant Area Commander Dean Chalmers said after 3pm the fire had been contained, but firefighters would need to stay at the scene for about 90 minutes.

There was "very extensive" damage to the house.

A St John ambulance was earlier at the scene.

A lot of smoke was still coming from the property at 2.50pm.