A teenage girl is in a critical condition after she was pulled from a blazing house last night by an off-duty cop who is also a volunteer firefighter.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said the blaze, in Cambridge, was reported just before 10pm.
When the first firefighters from Cambridge arrived at the Brennan Place property the fire was well alight and the girl was unaccounted for.
They called for back-up and crews from Hamilton were sent to the property.
Firefighters entered the house to look for the girl.
She was found and carried out of the burning building.
She was badly injured and taken to hospital by ambulance.
Police confirmed she was found by a volunteer firefighter who is also a police officer. The officer was off duty at the time.
“The teenager was found inside the burning house by an off-duty police officer, who is a volunteer firefighter. The teen was pulled to safety and crews provided immediate medical assistance,” said a spokesperson.
“She remains in a critical condition in hospital.”
Fire investigators are examining the property today to establish the cause of the fire.
Police said initial inquiries suggest there were no suspicious circumstances.
The victim was tortured with drills, hot water and a metal pole.