Ngongotahā house fire caused by candle, investigator says

A Hamurana Rd house has been damaged by fire. Photo / Andrew Warner

A fallen candle was the cause of a fire at a Ngongotahā home.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said crews received multiple calls about a “well-involved” house fire on Hamurana Rd at 2.08pm yesterday.

Four pumps and one tanker were sent to the scene and battled the blaze for two hours while police managed traffic, he said.

Fire investigator Lynda McHugh said the fire was not suspicious, and was caused by a candle falling on to the floor.

Local business owner Shelly Davies said when she first saw the smoke outside her home she thought it was “just more misty rain”.

“We’ve been having such bad weather lately,” Davies said.

“Then I heard a siren and then there was another siren.”

Davies said she looked out her window and found that her home was surrounded by smoke.

“By the time the smoke reached us it was white. We’re about 80m from where the fire is.

“But when I went out on to the road the smoke was brown.”

Davies said traffic had been diverted down Waiteti Rd.

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, candles could be a “serious” fire hazard if not used safely.

It urged people to never leave a candle unattended, ensure it was on a non-flammable surface such as a ceramic plate, to keep children away from it and store matches, lighters and anything else that can start a fire out of reach of children.

It also advised people to install smoke alarms and check they work regularly.