A Welcome Bay resident who lit a non-permitted fire on his property which quickly got out of control at the weekend could be prosecuted or have to pay the bill for putting the fire out.

Fires raged up and down the country yesterday stretching emergency services to "maximum capacity".

People suffering from heart attacks are ringing 111 to ask for help from firefighters instead of an ambulance because the response is quicker in some rural parts of New Zealand.

More harrowing testimony is expected as a coroner's inquest into the deaths of eight CTV building victims continues today.

The police officer left in charge of the Christchurch earthquake's biggest disaster zone said he became "frustrated" at being ordered off the site as he tried to rescue survivors.

Police today admitted the February 22 earthquake disaster in Christchurch "overwhelmed" their communication system.

Firefighters in Christchurch were called to a house fire, but had to put out the flames of failed passion instead.

A firefighter has been hurt while trying to stop an intoxicated attacker punching and...