Firefighters called out to fires and home ventilation system smouldering

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne firefighters had three calls on Saturday that involved a small fire started by a candle at a city motel, a small fire in driftwood at Waikanae and an issue with a home ventilation system.

Fire and Emergency NZ sent firefighters to the Teal Motor Lodge in Gladstone Road at around 7.45am on Saturday after a small fire was reported in one of the units.

“It was out on arrival.

“It turned out a candle left burning in the unit had tipped over on a counter top,” a senior firefighter said.

“People from neighbouring units used wet towels to put it out.”

The senior firefighter said the woman staying in the unit was uninjured.

“We made sure the scene was safe.”

At 5.05pm Saturday a fire crew went to Waikanae Beach to put out a fire in driftwood near the surf club.

They used a bucket and sea water to put it out.

It’s an open fire season at the moment and fires on the beaches are permitted.

“But we would ask people to put them out properly before they leave the beach,” said the senior firefighter.

Then at 11.15 pm FENZ were called to a house in Gladstone Road.

“The householders returned home to find their home ventilation system smouldering in the ceiling,” a senior firefighter said.

“We got into the ceiling void to deal with the problem.

“It caused only minimal damage and no structural damage.

“The cause is being looked into.”