A couple and their young child escaped a house fire in Kyeburn after being alerted by their cat, firefighters say. Volunteer firefighters from across the district who attended the blaze have been praised by the officer in charge of the emergency response for saving the house. The fire in the brick farmhouse on State Highway 85, between Morrisons and Kyeburn, began about 3.45pm on Friday. However, Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade senior station officer Greg Baddock said yesterday that was incorrect, and firefighters deserved praise for their efforts. They were alerted by a pet cat which ''came in and started going ballistic'', Mr Baddock said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 13, 2018 16:07 UTC