Taradale garage fire: Man in critical condition in hospital

Emergency services at the scene. Photo / Paul Taylor

A badly-burnt man remained critically ill in hospital on Sunday afternoon, 24 hours after running several hundred metres down suburban streets from a garage fire on a private section in Taradale.

The fire, towards the river end of King St, was reported at 2.11pm on Saturday, and according to witnesses the fleeing man was finally subdued in Meeanee Rd, near Windsor Ave.

A person was understood to have tried to help the man with a blanket and water, and members of the public were seen to be trying to help paramedics hold him while emergency medication was administered.

The man, aged in the 30s, was rushed to Hawke's Bay Hospital in Hastings but was on Sunday flown to Middlemore in Auckland, still in critical condition, understood be with extensive burns and shock.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Carlos Dempsey said the fire, in a garage on a back-section, was well-involved when fire crews arrived.

Five appliances plus support vehicles, from both Napier and Hastings, were used, and the fire was soon bought under control, he said.

One resident in the area said he was unaware of the fire until he heard calls for help and went outside where people were watching the fire.

Fire safety staff are investigating the cause of the fire.