False alarms ring in New Year

Wairarapa firefighters scrambled to three calls that turned out to be false alarms in the opening hours of the New Year on Wednesday.

False alarms rung in the New Year for firefighters in Masterton and Featherston early yesterday.

Fire service central shift manager David Meikle said Masterton firefighters were yesterday called to a Gordon St address about 10 minutes into the New Year to find smoke fuming from a hangi pit that had distressed some neighbours in the area.

He said a volunteer Featherston crew were about 10 minutes later called to a Bucks Rd property at Tauherenikau where New Year revellers were enjoying a bonfire that had likewise sparked alarm among some neighbours.

Masterton firefighters were called to a King St property after an alarm was triggered at the site soon after 3am, Mr Meikle said. The property was checked and found to be free of fire.