Home in Richmond 'extensively damaged' after major house fire

Fire ripped through a single-storey home in Richmond overnight causing extensive damage.

Fire and Emergency crew were called to the blaze at Gladstone Rd at 12.18am and quickly called for back up.

Crew from four stations- 28 firefighters- turned out.

There were initial reports that someone was inside the house and St John and police were asked to attend as a precaution, Southland Fire and Emergency communications shift manager Brent Dunn said.

Everybody was soon accounted for though, and there were no injuries.

"The house was extensively damaged and a fire investigator will be on scene this morning," Dunn said.

It wasn't immediately clear if the fire was suspicious or not, he said.