Baby suffers burns in caravan fire

Two caravan fires in the Far North in 24 hours - including one that left a baby burnt - have prompted a Fire Service warning about summer fire safety.
Far North fire safety officer Lindsay Murray said on Monday a baby and at least two other children were lucky not to have been killed in a caravan fire, which was started by the youngsters playing with matches.
Firefighters fear the caravan blaze could have led to the tragic death of the children and are urging people to be careful this summer and to keep matches away from young children. Summer is a time when people flock to baches, caravans and camping grounds around the region.
An 18-month-old boy received moderate superficial burns in the blaze on Otaha Rd, about 15km north of Kerikeri, on Monday. He was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital but later transferred to Middlemore Hospital.
A hospital spokesperson said he was in a stable condition last night. The other children escaped without injury, but it could have been much worse.
The fire completely destroyed the caravan and has prompted Mr Murray to issue a warning about the dangers of children playing with matches.
"We know that the kids were playing with matches," Mr Murray said.
But it was unclear as to exactly what item in the caravan had caught fire.
Mr Murray said the children were lucky not to have been trapped in the caravan.
"They were bloody lucky to get out. If the door had shut it could have been a tragedy."
He said two appliances from Kerikeri and a tanker from Kaeo attended the fire which took about 45 minutes to bring under control.
"The message I want to get out is to put matches and lighters out of reach of young children."
Aside from some minor damage to nearby trees firefighters managed to prevent the flames spreading to a belt of pine trees.
However, crews were not so lucky when a caravan fire spread to forest at Waipapakauri, about 15km north of Kaitaia yesterday afternoon.
A fire service spokesperson said they initially received a call to a caravan fire on West Coast Rd just before 2.30pm.
But the fire then spread to trees in the Aupouri Forest.
Crews from Kaitaia, Mangonui, Taupo Bay and Juken Nissho fire fighters along with a helicopter with a monsoon bucket battled the fire which covered about four hectares.
After reports that the fire had been contained it flared up again shortly before 4pm but was eventually brought under control around 7pm, the spokesperson said.
It was not known last night what caused the caravan fire.
* SAFETY TIPS
* BARBECUE
• Don't light fires in fire ban area - not only could you cause millions of dollars worth of damage, you could also have to pay for it.
• Take care with alcohol around barbecues.
• Don't let kids play too close to the barbecues.
• Ensure you extinguish it properly.
• Do not throw flammable liquid onto a barbecues.
* BOATING
• Don't smoke while refuelling.
• Always wear a lifejacket.
• Take care with alcohol while on a boat.
* CARAVANS AND TENTS
• Install a smoke alarm.
• Have an escape route planned - with two ways out, just in case.
• Service the gas bottle before going on holiday.
• Keep a close eye on the stove while cooking.
• Have a fire extinguisher handy.
• Make sure power cords are in good condition.
AND NEVER LET KIDS PLAY WITH MATCHES OR LIGHTERS