Whakatāne house fire: Person taken to hospital in critical condition

One person is in critical condition following a house fire in Whakatāne.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Northern Communications Centre shift manager Joshua Pennefather said a call was received about the fire in Arawa Rd about 4.02pm.

“The property was well-involved when we arrived,” Pennefather said of the 120sq m single-storey house.

“We sent five trucks and a couple of support vehicles.”

Two fire trucks and crews attended from Whakatāne, as well as one each from Ōhope, Edgecumbe and Kawerau.

“We rescued one person from the house. They are being treated by ambulance,” Pennefather said.

In a statement to SunLive this morning, a police spokesperson confirmed they were called to the fire and were investigating,

“An occupant was pulled from the house and transported to hospital in critical condition, where they remain today.

“Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand are working to establish the circumstances of the fire.”