The 16 residents of a Kaeo resthome had to be evacuated at 3am yesterday after a switchboard caught fire and filled the building with acrid smoke.
One resident, who had to be rescued by a firefighter wearing breathing apparatus, was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa for observation after suffering smoke inhalation.
While the evacuation went to plan and damage was limited, the emergency highlighted Kaeo Fire Brigade's ongoing shortage of volunteers with only three firefighters available to fight the blaze.
The resthome, Kauri Lodge, is part of the former Kaeo Hospital complex and is operated by the Whangaroa Health Services Trust. Trust chairman Brendan Tuohy said the caregiver and registered nurse on duty had already moved most elderly residents to safety when police and firefighters arrived, completed the evacuation and extinguished the fire.
"The main thing is that all our residents and staff are safe and well," Mr Tuohy said. "We're proud of our staff and very grateful to the police and fire brigade who did a fine job. Damage to the building is quite minor but there's a lot of cleaning up to do."