A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said crews were called to reports of a house fire at a two story residential property in Joseph St, Gore about 4.20am yesterday.
Two appliances from Gore attended and discovered about half the building was well alight, the spokeswoman said.
The occupants were not believed to be home at the time of the fire and another two appliances from Mataura station were called to assist firefighters from Gore.
The fire was contained about 6am and roofing iron had to be removed to assist firefighters in gaining access to the interior of the building.
The fire had not been tagged as suspicious, but an investigator remained at the scene late yesterday afternoon, the spokeswoman said.
Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Steve Lee said 22 firefighters from Gore attended, along with 14 members of the Mataura brigade.
The response had been good and timely, he said.
A tanker and two support vehicles had also attended.
The brigade wanted to remind people of the benefits of smoke alarms, as they gave early warning and saved lives
The scene was now in the hands of police and the fire investigator, CFO Lee said.
