Firefighters battling scrub fire near Whanganui Prison

Firefighters have managed to contain a scrub fire near Whanganui Prison.

Rural firefighters - with the help of a helicopter and monsoon bucket - were on the Pauri Domain Rd scene at Kaitoke just south of Whanganui on Thursday afternoon.

Rural fire officer Peter Tantrum said the beach scrub fire was heading towards the pines but did not know how the fire started.

Two engines from Whanganui were fighting the blaze which had spread into a pine plantation while the helicopter was damping down the smouldering coastal scrub on the hill above the beach.

Rural fire station manager Brian Coskery said the fire covered an area of around 100m by 300m when firefighters arrived.

"I think we have it under control now and we will continue to work with three engines and the helicopter.

"We've contained the spread into the pines and will keep working to make sure it is completely extinguished."

Croskery said firefighters were particularly concerned about the nearby gas pumping station and had worked hard to keep the blaze away from the area.