More homes have been evacuated as a wind change threatens more homes south of Whitianga.
Four houses and a commune, seen in the distance here, were destroyed by the fire. Three helicopters and about 30 firefighters have been fighting the blaze. Photo: RNZ / Carla Penman
Four houses and a commune were destroyed overnight in the fire between Kaimarama and Coroglen, south of Whitianga, which covered 11 hectares. Twenty-six people were evacuated last night.
The Thames Coromandel District Council said about 24 structures had been destroyed.
The fire was contained this afternoon but more homes have been evacuated this evening with a wind change threatening homes south of Whitianga.
Deputy Prinicipal Rural Fire Officer at the scene, Mike Van Bysterveldt, said the wind had died down but they were expecting it to change directions during the night.
He said a number of homes had been evacuated this evening as a precaution.
All but one crew had been stood down for the night. They were monitoring the situation and would attempt to protect at risk buildings.
Full efforts to put out the fire will resume tomorrow at 6am.
Grandmother's house 'completely razed to the ground'
A Coromandel resident arrived home this morning to find the fire had missed his home by metres but destroyed his grandmother's place nearby.
James Lee had been in Auckland and quickly returned home with his family when they heard what was happening.
"When we all arrived this morning, our family in the car, it was just completely shocking.
"We all kind of broke down for a minute just seeing our land that we'd all grown up in and spent lots of time in, just reduced to ash... But at least one of our houses managed to survive."
Mr Lee said they had just begun renovations on his grandmother's home.
"It's a real shame, we'd just been sorting out a new kitchen, planning a new kitchen, we'd gotten a new flush toilet, new water tank and pump system and trying to get her comfortable in her retirement but now this has happened. It's completely razed to the ground."
In a statement, the Wilderland Trust said it had lost two houses on the commune's land, two caravans, its vehicles, workshop and tools, among other assets. Its electricity and water supplies were also damaged.
The community's members had not yet been allowed back to the property, it said.
"Thank you once again everybody for your love and generosity. We are extremely overwhelmed and humbled by the kindness of our wider community.
"The fire investigation is still underway, all we know at this stage is that the fire originated on a neighbouring property and was already well established before spreading through Wilderland and beyond."
Fire likely to take days to fully extinguish
Principal rural fire officer Paul Shaw said the fire started in an area covered by a total fire ban and he had "some ideas" about how it started.
The Fire Service's Paul Shaw with the charred remains of one of the houses destroyed by the fire. Photo: RNZ / Carla Penman
Firefighters were trying to widen the perimeter to ensure it did not spread any further and it was likely to take days to fully extinguish, he said.
"We've got a number of houses in here that have been saved, and a great deal of thanks goes to the helicopters and the pilots up there - they've done a great job."
Water tankers were brought in today to help three helicopters refill their monsoon buckets, while firefighters on the ground dampened hot spots and flare-ups.
Another fire officer, Peter Smith, said while flames had come to within 100m of other houses, no others had been at risk.
A house - in background - that narrowly escaped the fire overnight. Photo: RNZ / Carla Penman
A mayoral fund has been set up for anyone wanting to donate money to help those who have lost everything in the fire.
Civil Defence said residents in the affected area were being contacted to determine the level of assistance they required.
