A woman has been charged for leaving two young children home alone in Christchurch.

About 10pm on Tuesday, emergency services were called to a smoke alarm sounding at a Eureka Street property in Aranui.

Inside, firefighters found two young children who had been left alone at the property.

Canterbury Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said, “Fortunately they were rescued from the address before a fire started and were unharmed.”

“Police would like to thank the neighbours to the property who called for help and prevented a tragic outcome,” Todd said.

A 35-year-old was taken into custody on two charges of ill-treatment of a child, resisting police, and possession of a cannabis plant.

She is due to reappear in the Christchurch District Court on 31 July.