Helicopters battle vegetation fire in Bell Block, Taranaki; emergency alert issued

Two helicopters are battling a vegetation fire that has broken out at Bell Block Beach, northeast of New Plymouth.

Vicky Goodwin told the Herald residents began heading down to the beach when they noticed large plumes of smoke.

“It was getting bigger and bigger and bigger and you could even see the flames from quite a distance,” she said.

“The fire is next to the beach so they have the two helicopters fighting it at the moment, doing an amazing job.”

Goodwin described the smoke as yellow when she first went down to the beach.

“The smoke has travelled towards Waitara, which is quite a distance,” she said.

“My yard is really smoky at the moment. It was an intense smell and really thick.

“I’m actually seeing little bits of ash going over my house at the moment.”

Goodwin said residents received a text alert to stay inside and close their windows.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson told the Herald crews received a call around 2.19pm about a vegetation fire at Cycle Park.

“Rural and urban crews from New Plymouth, Ngamotu, Stratford and Waitara are responding with the support of two helicopters.

“The fire is approximately 200m by 100m in size and generating a lot of smoke.

“The fire has now been contained and we have issued a localised emergency mobile alert asking people to stay away and keep inside,” the spokesperson said.

“The velodrome is closed and police have closed Mangati Rd.”

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.