Latest from Fires

Large blaze in South Auckland

Three people were inside the building at the time fire broke out.

Policeman honoured with bravery award

A policeman who rescued a woman from a house fire says being honoured with a bravery award is the highlight of his 35-year career.

Fire thought to have been caused by rats

A fire in an excavator in the Grey Valley mid-afternoon yesterday is thought to have been caused by rats chewing the electrics.

Electrical issue possible cause of fire

Brian Lewis Halvorsen, aged 64, died after a fire destroyed his caravan at Club Waimea caravan park at about 8pm on Saturday.

No suspicious activity in fatal house fire

There was no suspicious activity behind a fatal house fire in which one man died, police said today.

Fire at flats treated as suspicious

An early morning fire which ripped through a vacant block of flats in Hokitika is being treated as arson.

Fire at Spring Hill Prison

Firefighters have been called to a fire at Spring Hill Prison in the Waikato.

Fatal caravan fire in Nelson

Richmond fire chief Ralph Lonsdale said the caravan went up "very, very fast".

Grass fire lit in Mount Roskill

Multiple calls to emergency services were made as a visible grass fire lit in Mount Roskill this afternoon.

Appeals for fire survivors raise $126k

Donations have poured in from around New Zealand for three sisters whose parents and young brother died in a Waimate fire two months ago.

Firefighter: Just doing my job, mate

He battled up to 500C heat and 18m flames to save a house and, for his efforts, was transferred to hospital suffering from heat exhaustion.

Southern fires fanned by 'Hotober'

The unseasonably high temperatures and strong winds of "Hotober" fanned the flames of South Island fires yesterday.

Homes evacuated after wild fire

Flights are at a standstill at Dunedin Airport and a large fire grew rapidly out of control this morning as strong winds batter Otago.

Suspicious van fire in Remuera

Fire investigators are looking into a suspicious van fire on Auckland's Remuera Rd this morning.

Fire crews called to truck fire

Fire crews are dealing with a truck fire on State Highway 29, south of Matamata this morning.

Large grass fire on road to Port Waikato

A Fire Service spokeswoman said the fire was growing, and was currently 2ha by 1.2ha in size.