Firefighters battle a blaze at
an Akina property
in Hastings
A man with an axe at a scene of a house fire in Hastings reportedly tried to chop the hoses of firefighters, before being led away by police, witnesses say.
Smoke poured from the house on Maddison St, near Heretaunga St East, from about 11.20am to 12.20pm, as emergency serviceswere called to the scene.
A crowd of dozens watched as firefighters fought the blaze, having to be moved back by police, because of the risk of an explosion.
Firefighters attend a house fire on Maddison St, Akina, Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor
Neighbours described a chaotic scene that started when flames began to lick the building, spreading through the one-storey house "very fast".
Police and firefighters are at the Maddison St scene. Photo / File
A man who lives on the street, who did not want to be named, believed a man with an axe responded to the arrival of firefighters by attempting to chop their hoses as they pulled them out to fight the fire.
Police arrived quickly and took the man away, the man said. They also set up a cordon on the road preventing through traffic.
Flames were visible from the side of the house. Photo / Paul Taylor
He said the old wooden house had essentially acted as kindling for the fire.
A police spokesperson said firefighters were initially prevented from accessing the scene, before police located a person.
