Pair escape fire

A man escaped unharmed before his rural house became engulfed in flames yesterday. Several people called the Fire Service just after 10.30am to report a fire on Kaituna Valley Rd, Banks Peninsula, near Christchurch. Homeowner David Thomas, who is paraplegic, heard a crackling noise in the roof and got out of the house with the help of his nurse, Cath. Firefighters from Little River arrived at the scene just before 11am to see fire and smoke. The house collapsed just after midday. The Fire Service spokesman said there was ‘‘no indication at this stage’’ what might have caused the fire.