Quick-reacting neighbours help with ‘good save’ of Wainui home

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

Quick reactions from people from neighbouring properties made the difference on Tuesday morning when a fire started in a loft above the double garage of a home in Lloyd George Road at Wainui.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand sent two appliances and a water tanker to the property at around 10.30am that morning.

“The people nearby saw smoke coming from the garage and immediately called 111,” a senior firefighter said.

“When we arrived we found a fire burning in the loft, which we were able to put out quickly with a hose reel.”

No one was home at the time.

“A halogen floodlight had been left on in the loft, and heat from it had set fire to some flammable materials.

“There was significant damage caused to the contents of the loft, but the structure of the garage was safe,” the senior firefighter said.

“The quick actions by the people nearby meant we got there in time to control the fire and stop it spreading.

“It was a good save."