Cause of two scrub fires in Mount Maunganui not yet known

Two scrub fires in Mount Maunganui are now under control but two fire crews remain on the scene dampening down hotspots, a fire service spokesman said.

Several Tauranga firefighters were involved in fighting the fires on Maunganui Rd this afternoon.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said it was unknown whether the two fires were linked but they were in "very close in time and proximity" to each other.

Multiple calls were received about the first grassy scrub fire at 3.11pm beside the railway tracks in the vicinity of Z Energy on Maunganui Rd near Tweed St, he said.

The second scrub fire which was called in at 3.22pm was further down the road in front of Mount Maunganui RSA.

Firefighters from Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Greerton brigades responded to the callouts, the Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said.

The causes of the fires are not yet been established.

Meanwhile, about the same time, a 111 call also came in about a recycling bin on fire on the corner of Hull Rd and Newton St, Mount Maunganui but nothing was found.