“The fire had spread to two levels.
“We had one person treated for smoke inhalation.”
Underdown said the last report he had from the scene was that crews were working to contain the fire.
A reporter at the scene said the fire appeared to be out and firefighters were cleaning up. An ambulance attended as a precaution.
Property owner Samuel Wright told NZME at the scene the fire started about 1.30pm.
One person was inside the home at the time but was uninjured.
Wright said it was a kitchen fire and he did not yet know the extent of the damage.
Wright said it was unfortunate to hear of the fire.
“Luckily no one was hurt and everyone was out okay, and the only damage is property damage.”
The five-bedroom home was previously used as visitor accommodation but Wright said this stopped months ago.
The home was up for sale last year, but Wright said the listing had been taken down and the property was being renovated.
“The intent is to sell the place.”
The French-style country lodge was created by the late multimillionaire philanthropist Chloe Wright, who built it as her forever home, OneRoof reported when it was listed in 2024.
Chloe Wright died in September 2023 and her husband Wayne Wright snr died in March this year.
Wayne Wright snr and Chloe Wright.
The pair, who had five children, co-founded childcare provider BestStart and the Wright Family Foundation.
They lived in the luxury chateau for several years before turning it into visitor accommodation.
OneRoof reported the wider Wright family was involved in the creation of the house, which was inspired by homes Chloe Wright saw while cycling through rural villages in France and England.
The Wright family featured on the National Business Review’s Rich List in 2025.