After a spate of serious fires across New Zealand in the past 24 hours, the Fire Service has reminded people that fire protection is vital in all homes.

Fires destroyed homes and claimed the life of a 15-month-old child in incidents in Morrinsville, Laingholm and Havelock in the Marlborough Sounds overnight and this morning

There were no smoke alarms in the Morrinsville home, meaning an early warning, which could have seen all seven family members escape with their lives, was never given.

The property in Laingholm is completely ruined

The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire, but local chief fire officer Graeme Booth says a home sprinkler system could have saved the owner the heartbreak and financial hardship of rebuilding.

'We now have three homes ruined across the country and one young life taken for the want of some basic fire protection.'

'Basic smoke alarms cost very little and local firefighters will gladly give advise on the number and position of smoke alarms in any home free of charge.'

'There is no excuse for not having this basic level of protection in every home.'

Compared to the cost of the damage to the house in Laingholm, Mr Booth says installing home sprinklers is a very cheap exercise.

'In this case, because there was no-one home, the fire was well involved when the Fire Service was alerted. A sprinkler could have put the fire out before anyone knew it was alight.'