Northland house burns down after water blaster sparks trigger blaze

Two choppers and nine firetrucks battled the Northland fire on Sunday evening. Photo / George Novak

A water blaster which reportedly caught alight sparked a blaze that burned a house to the ground and ripped through 5ha south of Mamaranui, Northland.

Fire and Emergency northern shift manager Craig Dally said two helicopters were called in when the vegetation caught alight.

Nine fire crews from Dargaville, Rūāwai and Te Kōpuru were working on the ground on Sunday evening.

The fire was mostly out by about 8pm, with crews dampening down remaining hot spots, Dally said.

No other properties were involved and there were no reports of injuries.

NZ Transport Agency advised that part of State Highway 12 in Mamaranui was shut due to a large scrub fire about 6pm.

Just under two hours later, the road was reopened with the fire extinguished.

FINAL UPDATE 7:55PM
This fire south of Mamaranui has been EXTINGUISHED and the road is fully OPEN in both directions. ^EHhttps://t.co/zenujEaus5

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) February 23, 2020