A FIRE that destroyed a house in Bolinda has been described by a firefighter as "totally out of character" for the area.
Smoke caused by the flames could be seen from as far as the Mount Macedon fire spotting tower.
Bolinda-Monegeeta CFA captain Mick Warburton said the fire in Weatherly Road broke out about 3.30pm last Wednesday.
It took eight CFA units and about 30 firefighters from Bolinda-Monegeeta, Romsey, Clarkefield and Riddells Creek about 20 minutes to contain the blaze.
Mr Warburton said the cause of the fire was unknown and under investigation.
He said smoke sightings and reports from residents alerted the CFA to the fire.
"It was an intense fire and the house was fully gutted.
"The fire was going for about 10 or 15 minutes before we arrived on scene and by that stage it was fully involved."
Police from Gisborne's crime investigation unit and CFA investigators visited the site on Thursday and have ruled out arson as the cause.
Mr Warburton said the incident was out of character for the area.
He said a car had been set on fire in the same road on the Monday night.
The owners were not home and the family pets were rescued unscathed.
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