Smoke overcomes five in garage blaze

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Four children and an adult were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation last night after a garage they were in caught fire.

It was not known last night how the blaze on Duke St in Tokoroa started but a fire safety investigator from Taupo was being sent to the scene.

The flames "completely gutted" a brick double garage with living quarters out the back, said Tokoroa chief fire officer Ian Wellings.

Smoke could be seen from the station, about 3km away.

Firefighters took about 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

St John ambulance spokesman Keith Hall said one person was in a moderate condition and four others had minor injuries.