The Arataki home destroyed by a fire that almost claimed the life of a 77-year-old resident, pulled to safety by a Papamoa police officer, will open to the public this weekend.

Firefighters will open the Maranui Street home for viewing from 12pm – 3pm Saturday in an effort to illustrate the dangers of fire.

The single storey dwelling on Maranui Road was completely destroyed.

A 77-year-old woman was pulled from the burning house on Sunday, July 6, after an electric blanket sparked a fire in her bedroom about 6.20pm. Read more about the rescue here.

Mount Maunganui Fire Brigade senior firefighter Shane Baker says by the time firefighters arrived, the house was completely engulfed in flames.

'From the story they [firefighters at the scene] got, she was in the bathroom, which is not far from the bedroom, and has smelt burning and had gone back to the room to investigate and seen the switch for the electric blanket on the side of the bed on fire in that area.

'The fire damage around the bed indicates the fire did start there, the damage to the bed is extensive and the springs are on the floor now.”

Firefighters are concerned the elderly woman didn't immediately ring 111 and get out of the house.

'The damage of the house is considerable and at the time of arrival by the brigade, the bedroom where the fire had started was totally involved. The fire station is not far away.

'So we are a bit concerned that no 111 call was made initially. She was obviously disorientated and the smoke layer was halfway down the walls by the time the crew arrived.” The woman did have a smoke alarm, which was located on the floor at the entrance to her bedroom, with the battery lying about 1m away.

'It's been a little bit melted so I suspect it was on the ceiling but the construction of the house is really quite light. It's just had a Michelangelo ceiling type panel, which has come down in the fire, so it's obviously been on one of those and fallen down.”

Shane says there was also a bit of confusion about which door the woman was trying to get out of. She had extra security doors on both exits.

'From what we can gather is that she was trying to get out of house and got disorientated and had to be pulled out by a passing police officer.”

The woman was taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and is now believed to be staying with her daughter in Tauranga. Read more here.

Shane asks people with extra security doors to make sure they keep the key in the locks so if the smoke rises to the point where they can't see, then they can feel for the key, unlock the door and get out.

'Get out and stay out is the fire service message and ring 111 at the earliest possible moment.

'If you don't have a mobile or portable phone then go to the neighbour's house and tell them to ring 111.

'The sooner we're notified the more chance we have of saving something.”

People are also encouraged to have a pre-planned escape plan, especially families with children.

'This is what we are trying to emphasis with this day. Have a plan and know where to meet up and ensure everyone's safety.” People wanting to tour the home on Saturday are advised to wear flat soled shoes and clothing they are not worried about getting dirty.

'All their going to do is walk in the back door, down the hallway and have a look into the bedroom. They won't be able to go into the bedroom as there are holes in the ground.

'In one of the bedrooms has a cot with toys in it, which is probably for when the grandchildren used to come and stay. It's all black and singed now from the smoke and heat. It will be a powerful tool for young children to reinforce the dangers of fire.”

Shane urges people to get their electric blanket tested if it's been put away over summer and to make sure they have a working smoke alarm.

People wanting to get their blankets tested can do so at Epulse Electrical on Tukorako Drive in Mount Maunganui.

When: Saturday, July 12

Where: 49 Maranui Street

From: 12pm - 3pm.