Two houses have suffered extensive damage following a fire in the Christchurch suburb of Halswell.
Fire and Emergency were called to the scene on Alvaston Drive at just after four this afternoon.
It said the fire spread from one house to the other and one person was treated for shock at the scene.
Three fire trucks are still dampening the houses down and a fire investigator is at the scene.
A social media post by neighbours appealed for support for the "young family" with three children.