Million-dollar properties came close to being razed by a fire started by two youths on Mangawhai Heads beach.
Eight fire appliances, two helicopters collecting sea water and dozens of firefighters from across Northland were called to the scene just before noon yesterday, as fire engulfed 5ha of beachfront headland, fuelled by pampas grass and changing winds.
With the car park and beach evacuated, locals could only watch from a distance as the fire burned only 50m away from the local surf club, and as close as 30m from million-dollar Wintle St properties.
Two 15-year-olds from West Auckland, holidaying with Mangawhai relatives, yesterday afternoon admitted to starting the fire and have been referred to the police Youth Aid section, Mangawhai Senior Constable Graham Gough said.
"Fortunately there was no property damage but our beautiful reserve is charred and blackened once again," he said.