Million-dollar homes saved

Skywork helicopters collected water from the ocean to dump on a blaze that engulfed 5 hectares of headland overlooking Mangawhai Heads beach. Photo / Michael Cunningham

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.

In January 2006 the headland was also reduced to blackened wasteland after a blaze started by a man lighting a skyrocket on the beach. Mr Gough said the two youths involved in yesterday's fire were located soon after thanks to quick-thinking members members of the Mangawhai community. The boys had been lighting a few small fires down on the beach which quickly spread.

"I was given information right from an early time with their description. To the boys' credit, they were truthful and owned up immediately," he said.

Firefighters from Mangawhai, Kaiwaka, Waipu and Paparoa attended, as well as Kaipara District Council rural officers, who will stay for several days to ensure the fire is completely out. Two Skywork helicopters from Whangarei collected water from the ocean and dumped it in the path of the blaze to prevent it from spreading.

Officer-in-charge Aden Shirley said the fire initially rapidly burned up the north-eastern side of the headland, but due to swirling winds it spread in northern and southern directions, wrapping around the cliff-face. Firefighters concentrated on the northern side, where three vacant properties were potentially at risk - one as close as 30m away at 1.30pm, he said.

The entire north-eastern side was completely burnt.

As of 4pm fire crews were packing up the scene.