House destroyed by fire in Oakleigh, south of Whangārei

Firefighters from seven brigades have been working to extinguish a house fire in Oakleigh, south of Whangārei, on Sunday night.

Fire and Emergency's Northland manager, Wipari Henwood, said all the occupants of the home had been accounted for, but the house was a total loss.

The fire had been challenging because the house was up a steep driveway and there was a stand of bush at the rear of the property, close to a petrol station on State Highway 1, he said.

The New Zealand Transport Agency advised drivers just south of Oakleigh to expect delays, and take extra care.

It was likely to take several hours before the fire was extinguished, Henwood said.

An investigation into the cause had begun.

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