Pongakawa house fire: Multiple crews battle ‘well involved’ blaze

Fire and Emergency New Zealand: “We received multiple calls to reports of a house on fire. On arrival, the house was well involved in fire”.

Fire crews are battling a “well-involved” house fire near Pongakawa.

Garreth Lewis, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern fire communications shift manager, said a residential house fire in Pongakawa was reported just after 11am.

Pongakawa is in the Bay of Plenty, about 16km from Te Puke.

“We received multiple calls to reports of a house on fire. On arrival, the house was well involved in fire.”

Lewis said crews were still extinguishing the fire.

“It reached what we call a second alarm level, and four fire trucks and two water tankers are on scene currently.”

Pukehina Volunteer Fire Brigade said in a Facebook post the fire was “fully involved” and urged motorists to be careful.

The fire is on Old Coach Rd, close to Pongakawa School, the brigade’s post said.