Napier blazes out, under control

The scrub fire on the hills around Park Island in Napier has been brought under control by fire crews. Photo/Paul Taylor.

The two Napier fires which began this afternoon have been brought under control.

Only three fire crew remain at the Poraiti scrub fire. The scene of the Lanark Cr fire was cleared by around 5.30pm.

Earlier this afternoon fire crews were diverted to the Lanark Cr fire from the nearby Poraiti blaze.

The street, in Tamatea, was cordoned off as crews attended to a car fire which spread to the car port and house.

Regional fire commander Chris Nicholl said the fire in Lanark Cres was not connected to the scrub fire at Poraiti.

Fire Service crews from around Hawke's Bay battled the scrub fire from about 1.30pm at Poraiti near Taradale.

The scrub fire was brought under control by about 5pm.

Mr Nicholl said fire services would remain on-site for the next 12-18 hours to make sure it was put out properly and there were no more flare-ups.

He said changing wind conditions had made firefighting difficult and the fire at times changed direction as it moved up the hillside.

Three helicopters using monsoon buckets helped firefighters on the ground to subdue the flames.

Four houses in Oak Rd were evacuated as a precautionary measure and residents are now being allowed back into their homes.

Police had been on standby to evacuate more homes in close proximity to the fire if necessary.

Smoke from the fire had spread across some Napier suburbs and the central city and prompted numerous calls to police and the Fire Service.

It is not known how the fire started at this stage.