A Christchurch cat has one less life but is alive after it was resuscitated by firefighters after a house fire in Northcote yesterday.

The cat suffered from smoke inhalation after the fire.

The fire was reported about 1.30pm yesterday and was "well involved'' when firefighters arrived at the Morrison Ave, Northcote, property.

A fire service spokesman said two fire crews from St Albans and Harewood stations attended the blaze.

No one was inside the house when it caught fire, but firefighters managed to rescue and "administer lifesaving support" to a cat suffering from smoke inhalation.

It was not known if anyone was living in the house at the time of the fire, but it was believed to belong to Housing New Zealand.

The fire was not being treated as suspicious.