A man has been taken to hospital after a house fire caused extensive damage to his Mairehau home early on Christmas Eve.

Emergency services responded to reports of the blaze on Kellys Road just before 5.00am on Wednesday.

Fire and Emergency crews arrived to find the house fully involved, with appliances from Christchurch City and Redwood attending initially.

A spokesperson said a second alarm was later raised, bringing in two more fire trucks from Christchurch City and the Anzac station.

Smoke and flames were visible from surrounding streets as firefighters worked to bring the fire under control.

A St John spokesperson said one person was transported to Christchurch Hospital with moderate injuries.

The fire spread to a neighbouring property, with crews carrying out salvage work at that address later in the morning.

 

A fire investigator is expected to attend the scene later this morning, however the fire is not being treated as suspicious.