The farm managers at South Canterbury's White Rock Station are shocked after a newly-built house went up in flames.

The remote lodge on Rangitata Gorge burned down last night, but it went unnoticed due to the thick fog.

Sally Stevens, who lives at the station, says she discovered it'd burned down around 9am when she went to lock a deer gate and couldn't believe what she was seeing.

She says she's just grateful nobody was there.

Stevens says buildings can be replaced, but people can't.