
Summer's first heat alerts issued as temperatures head for 30C
MetService has issued heat alerts for known hotspots, with warm nights keeping temps high.
MetService has issued heat alerts for known hotspots, with warm nights keeping temps high.
A prohibited fire season notice is now in place.
Fire crews remain at the scene of the blaze dampening down hotspots.
Firefighting in Gisborne is set to get a significant boost.
There have been 69 vegetation fires in the last month.
'My emotions are pretty up and down at the moment ... I'm trying to deal with it.'
One person described seeing large plumes of black smoke coming from the site.
The blaze caused significant damage to the top floor of the family's house.
A cheap phone charger bought online resulted in a fire which tore through a family home.
'Some of our students have been impacted by fumes,' a statement said.
The call to Queensland was for advice on chemicals stored inside.
One person was trapped and had to be rescued by firefighters.
One ambulance was sent to the incident on Kura St, Whatawhata.
A police spokesperson said the incident was reported just after 8.45am.
The house was recently sold for $1.1 million.
Five crews are still on site working to fully extinguish the fire.
Forecasts suggest the region could hit its highest temperatures of the year so far.
Police said a neighbour found the person following the fire in Kaitāia.
Firefighters remain at the scene two days later dealing with flare-ups.
'We want whoever is responsible to be caught.'
Crews are monitoring and mopping up hot spots this morning.
Fenz had 28 firefighters working to tame the 'rapidly spreading' fire.
Residents were forced from their homes due to the fire.
Residents are being evacuated from homes at risk from a scrub fire near Te Puna in Western Bay of Plenty.Video / Chelsea Norman
Fire and Emergency investigators believe the house fire was caused by fireworks.
The Faulkner family are beyond grateful for all the love and support after the fire.
Emergency services called to South Waikato crash.
Wind-fanned flames destroyed two sheds, a caravan and badly damaged a house.
Smoke was billowing from a hillside bushfire near Mohaka about 4.50pm on Thursday.
Mother's two children and husband were among the first on the scene of the crash.