Lake Okareka Volunteer Fire Brigade
  • Home
  • History
    • Ōkāreka Fire Appliances
  • Info
    • Fire Restrictions & Permits
    • Safe Winter Driving
    • Smoke Alarms
    • GoodSAM
  • Volunteers
    • Committee
    • Volunteering
    • NZQA Qualifications
    • Study Guides
  • Incidents
    • 2021 - 2025
    • 2016 - 2020
    • 2011 - 2015
    • 2004 - 2010
  • Photos
  • Video
  • YES
  • Media
    • LŌCA Articles
  • Donate
    • Sponsors
    • Supporters
  • Contact
    • Lake Ōkāreka

Firefighters Called To Another Larger Blaze

25/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
The scene of the fire near the Waste Water Treatment plant. PHOTO/KYRA DAWSON
Emergency services are currently at a large blaze east of Rotorua's central city at Sulphur Flats.
Eight fire trucks and more than 35 firefighters were called to battle the blaze near the wastewater treatement plant, off Te Ngae Rd.

The fire, which involves vegetation only, started about 5.30pm and is now under control.
Several firefighting crews are in attendance - from Ngongotaha, Okareka and the New Zealand Fire Service and staff from Rotorua Contracting (formerly Castlecorp). Police and St John Ambulance are also in attendance.

The fire is over an area of about 150m by 15m between part of the wastewater treatment plant fence line and Puarenga Stream. Fire Service assistant area commander Brendon Wood said a specialist fire investigator was at the scene working to determine the cause. He said the blaze was contained within 20 minutes but because of the size of the fire, there was a lot of dampening down to do. He said there were also a couple of sulphur fires across the river that were unrelated. "But it just goes to show the volatile nature of the terrain, that's why we can't determine the cause until we put the fire out to give someone a chance to get in safely."

Only minutes after putting out a fire off Old Te Ngae Rd, firefighters were called to the bigger blaze. Reporter Kyra Dawson at the scene said the blaze was a lot bigger than the earlier fire and large plumes of smoke could be seen. "There is a lot of dark smoke. The fire trucks were having trouble getting access. There is just heaps of smoke." Cheryl Broock, who is sitting on the hill near the fire, said she lived nearby and could smell the fire. "It is sad if it's another arson case," she said.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Steve Smith said the scrub fire started at 5.30pm.
There are currently six fire engines there fighting the blaze. St John Ambulance paramedic Mike France said: "We are on standby because it is a major event, mainly for (the safety) of the fire guys." Another witness Myrin Abbott said fires always happened in the area. "It's just part of how dry it is... It's a decent one."

Okareka volunteer firefighter Stuart Pinfold said there was a big team working to put out the blaze. "It's pretty much extended all of our resources in Rotorua."

- Rotorua Daily Post
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    December 2009
    June 2009
    January 2007
    April 2006
    January 2005
    May 1991
    December 1985

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.