Island Bay fire: Large blaze at two Wellington properties, residents affected by smoke

Firefighters are battling strong winds to extinguish a large blaze at two residential properties in the Wellington suburb of Island Bay.

Fire and Emergency said the blaze was first reported at 6.50pm.

In a video shared online, flames can be seen pouring from a house, damaging the exteriors of two adjacent buildings.

Grey smoke can also be seen pouring out of the building and across the Island Bay sky.

Incident Controller Mike Dombroski said the fire spread to nearby vegetation but was extinguished.

“Firefighters are monitoring the area closely for any further spread,” he said.

There are six fire trucks, an aerial appliance, command unit and operational support vehicles at the scene.

People in Island Bay are asked to avoid High St and the Esplanade, due to considerable congestion.

Dombroski said firefighters will remain at the scene with crews rotating through the evening.

Smoke from a house fire in Wellington's Island Bay is pouring across the south coast.

“At present, the wind is blowing most of the smoke out to sea, but people in the area should keep doors and windows shut and stay inside to avoid exposure to any contaminants.”

A police spokesperson told the Herald they were notified of a garage fire on High Street about 6.50pm.

“At this stage, we have only been required for traffic control.”

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