Fire investigators are looking at whether a fire that destroyed a Wellington family's home was started by contractors stripping paint inside.
Eleven fire crews battled the blaze as thick black smoke stretched across Lyall Bay, visible from as far as the Wellington Airport.
Neighbour Kelly Toy told Newshub the fire took over the home in minutes.
"I came down here, probably within three minutes and the house was already pretty much destroyed."
Helen Servos knows the family and said the home had only recently been renovated.
"I just want to cry, she just recently fixed everything inside, and I mean look at it, it's just a disaster."
Newshub understands workers were stripping paint inside the property when the fire ravaged the home, and one of them was taken to hospital.
Assistant fire commander Des Irvine told Newshub he understood restoration work was being done to the home but wanted to wait for the investigators to make their final conclusion.
Fire crews managed to keep the fire from spreading to other properties, spending the day dowsing any hot spots.
"We're a bit concerned about the roof, the roof looks like it is starting to sag a wee bit so we will be here all day making sure the fire's out," Irvine said.
