Firefighters battle blaze in Kawerau

Firefighters spent at least half an hour trying to contain a blaze which ripped through a Kawerau home.

Emergency services were called to the Cobham Dr address just before 5pm. When firefighters arrived the house was well alight.

A spokesperson from Northern Fire Communications said nobody was injured in the fire.

Witness Kunere Brodre, 16, said firefighters spent more than half an hour trying to contain the blaze.

"There were quite a few people standing around watching so they were also making sure people were a safe distance away.

"Even from the other side of the road, you could feel the heat of the flames, it was a big fire, luckily the firefighters were saying nobody was in the house at the time the fire started."

Kunere said he and his friends had been "riding around" when they heard sirens.

"We decided to follow the fire truck as it was going up the street because we wanted to see what was going on.

"From a good block away you could smell the house burning."

"The firemen did a really good job making sure everyone was safe and were staying a good distance away from the house. There were quite a few smaller kids around who were at the park so it was important they knew to stay away."

Fire crews from Kawerau and Edgecumbe attended the scene.

Within hours of the blaze, several people on social media were offering clothes and goods to the occupants of the home.