The investigation into a fire that ravaged a Greerton house on Tuesday night is ongoing, says fire risk management officer Luke Burgess.

He and other investigators were at the property for around 10 hours yesterday picking over the scene.

'The investigation process takes a long time – it's very methodical. We're still trying to work out a couple of things and confirm some facts before we come out with a determination.”

However, he says they do know the fire started in a bedroom.

'Witness statements and physical evidence supports this.”

Once the fire was contained on Tuesday evening, firefighters spent around five hours dampening down hot spots.

The most important thing, says Luke, is that all of the occupants got out of the house successfully.

'Because people were home at the time of the fire, it really highlights the need for a planned evacuation procedure and working smoke alarms – it's the cheapest form of life insurance you can get.

'The importance of that early warning, combined with an organised plan of getting out of the house safely, can't be stressed enough.”

Luke says there are seven investigators in the Bay of Plenty/Waikato/Central Lakes area who examine scenes like this.

'We always make sure we have people with us. There are all sorts of hazards at a fire scene. You've got to