A fire alarm is being credited for helping save a person's life in the Canterbury town of Temuka.

A neighbour called the Fire Service after hearing a smoke alarm going off in Wilkin St, just before midnight.

They banged on their neighbour's door.

Fire Service shift commander Riwai Grace says just as volunteer firefighters arrived, a person came stumbling out of the house.

"Thankfully vigilant neighbours heard a working smoke alarm and that probably saved somebody's life. The person was taken to hospital for a check up, luckily very minor injuries."

Grace says the message is clear.

"That's actually a cool story, someone actually listening to the Fire Service advice that working smoke alarms could save your life."

Riwai Grace says the person was taken to hospital with minor smoke inhalation and there was some smoke damage to the house.