A fire is burning on Black Jack Road in the Coromandel.
Video / Katie Dee
A scrub fire cut off carloads of day trippers in two isolated Coromandel bays this afternoon, leaving them fearing they would have to spend the night in the cold without food or water.
Firefighters have been scrambling to control a scrub fire in Kūaotunu that has spread over 18ha.
Therewere two helicopters and seven fire engines on the scene, a spokeswoman for Fire and Emergency NZ said. The helicopters were due to be grounded at 8.30pm.
The fire was burning through pine slash and regrowth, she said.
Fire crews battling the blaze. Photo / Chris Larcombe
A fire is burning on Black Jack Road in Coromandel. Photo / Emily Clarke
Daytrippers feared getting trapped
Tarah Spyve told the Herald she could not drive back along Black Jack Rd because of the fire. She later said firefighters began allowing cars through five at a time about 8.30pm.
While Spyve was trapped, she said there was no shop to buy food from.
A local allowed the strandees into their home to fill up their water bottles, she said.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said the fire service would be closing Black Jack Rd overnight. She said Fire and Emergency was not aware of anyone being trapped by the road closure.
