Lake Okareka Volunteer Fire Brigade
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Scrub Fire Near Te Ngae Rd

27/11/2014

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A Rotorua highway was temporarily closed during rush hour as firefighters worked to put out a blaze that ripped through a section of scrub.

The fire broke out on a section of land on the corner of Te Ngae Rd/State Highway 30 and Cookson Rd about 4pm yesterday.

It was one of two bush fires that broke out in the region yesterday afternoon.

Rotorua Fire Brigade senior station officer Colin Rolfe said the fire tore through about 80m by 30m of gorse and additional crews were called to help contain it.

Part of State Highway 30 was closed for about 15 minutes while a hose was dragged across it to reach the fire, with traffic on the northbound lane backing up as far as the Tarawera Rd intersection.

Mr Rolfe said it appeared the fire had started following a small bonfire that was lit too close to the scrub.

Because of the wind and its close proximity to the gorse, the fire quickly spread.

"With bonfires there are certain laws that you have to adhere to. One of which is not to light a fire less than 3m from anything that might combust or catch fire," he said.

"In this case this wasn't followed."

Mr Rolfe said it was a timely reminder for people to take extra care in the warmer months.
"The conditions are getting very dry already, it just goes to show, coming into summer, that you need to watch what you're doing."

Fire crews also worked to contain another blaze, a large bush fire in Kawerau's Monika Lanham Reserve, about 2pm yesterday. Bursts of orange flame and plumes of smoke could be seen from most parts of the mill town, according to residents.

Fire crews were investigating.

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Dog Wakes Family in Burning House

18/11/2014

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A Reporoa family have been left with nothing after a fire that ignited in a garage engulfed their home. 

Emergency services were called to the fire in a single storey weatherboard home on Plateau Rd, 40km north of Taupo, just before 6am today. 

The family of two adults and three children were woken up by their border collie dog. 

"It was a dog that alerted them to the fire," said owner of the 130 hectare farm Tim Karl. 

Karl had been heading out to milk the herd when he was informed by a neighbour of the fire in one of the farm's houses. 

The father of the family who lived at the house worked on the farm in rural Reporoa. 

'There was a fire in a garage and it jumped to the house, there is not much left of the property."

He headed to the property, by which time the shed was "up in flames". Northern Fire Communications shift manager Megan Ruru said Taupo firefighters arrived to find the house ablaze. Fire had stretched 16 by 12 metres. 

Karl said the family had made it out ok and were all uninjured. He did not wish to speculate on the cause of the fire as the Fire Service was investigating. 

The family didn't have time to grab any possessions and had been left with little, said Karl. They were currently staying with family until alternative accomodation could be found. 

"I haven't had much time to think about the damage, I have been working through the process and helping them get on with things."

This is the second fire to destroy a family home in the Reporoa area this month.

Rylee and husband Newton Hinton, and their children aged 12, 9, and 6 lost their home when fire broke out just after midnight on November 3. 

They lost everything in the fire that left their house a smoldering ruin and vehicles and a boat destroyed.

After getting out with the family Newton went back into the home where he sustained burns to his legs, feet and shoulders.

He was airlifted to Rotorua Hospital before being transferred to Waikato Hospital.

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An Amazing Evening

17/11/2014

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Hi All,

Looking for something to brighten your Wednesday evening?

Exclusive invite to the fire station this Wednesday, 7:30pm for family, friends and local residents.

Enjoy a sausage or two while watching Zane and Degg’s amazing juggling show accompanied by Imogen, acrobat extraordinaire.

Special appearance by Blair Gilbert!

See you there,

Phil

(PS:  Please forward this email to your fellow members and local residents)

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 Home Lost But Alarms Save Family

2/11/2014

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A man is in hospital with serious burns after a house fire reduced a Broadlands home to ash.

Fire crews were called to an Allen Rd property about 11.50pm on Sunday.

Fire Service central-lakes assistant area commander Hamish Smith said fire trucks from Rotorua, Taupo and Lake Okareka found the house and adjoining carport "totally destroyed by fire".

One of the home's five occupants suffered serious burns and was taken to Rotorua Hospital by helicopter, before being transferred to Waikato Hospital, where he remained last night.

Mr Smith said it was fortunate the family had working smoke alarms, which woke them.

"It most definitely could have had a different outcome if there were no working smoke alarms. The smoke alarms definitely did what they're designed to do, alarm the occupants so they can get to safety. They save lives," he said.


Fire crews did what they could to contain the fire, but most of the damage had already been done: "We extinguished what was left burning, but it was pretty much iron and ash on the ground."

The family's home, carport, two cars, caravans and boat had been destroyed.

"I think it's quite a substantial loss for the family. They would have lost a lot of memories and irreplaceable things in that fire, though it's good that they still have each other."

A fire-safety investigator was investigating how and where the blaze started. However, it was fair to rule out any suspicious circumstances, Mr Smith said.

More than 20 firefighters, five Fire Service trucks and two fire investigators had attended the scene.

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