Ōpōtiki house fire: Investigation under way after overnight blaze

Crews have battled a house fire near Ōpōtiki in the eastern Bay of Plenty overnight.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said they were called to the single-story dwelling at Toatoa just after midnight.

The 20m by 15m house was “well involved in fire” when crews arrived, she said.

Crews had left the scene by 3.50am.

A police spokeswoman said police were called to the house fire on Motu Rd about 2.30am.

“There was nobody in the property at the time.

“A scene guard was put in place overnight and we will be conducting a scene examination this morning, alongside a Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigator.”