Fire crews responded to two separate structure fires in Nelson South on Wednesday, including a serious house fire where occupants escaped without injury despite the absence of working smoke alarms.

The first incident involved a garage fire, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand alerted around 10am. Four crews from Nelson and Stoke responded, bringing the blaze under control by 11.30am. It was fully extinguished by 12.30pm.

Later that evening, a second fire broke out at a residential property.

Crews were alerted at approximately 9.55pm and arrived to find the house well involved. Six crews attended the scene, again from Nelson and Stoke, and extinguished the fire by 12.25am on Thursday.

Fire and Emergency Nelson-Marlborough Assistant Commander Chris Best said the house did not have working smoke alarms.

“This is a timely reminder to ensure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway and living area as the occupants were fortunate to get out alive,” he said.

The causes of both fires are under investigation.