20 Jan 2017

Investigators pick through scene of Coromandel scrub blaze

7:43 pm on 20 January 2017

Police and fire investigators are continuing to try to find the cause of a large fire that broke out on the Coromandel Peninsula on Tuesday.

A monsoon helicopter flies over the remains of a house razed by a scrub fire near Whitianga. At least four houses and several other buildings have burnt to the ground.

A monsoon helicopter flies over the remains of a house razed by a scrub fire near Whitianga. Photo: RNZ / Carla Penman

The blaze near Kaimarama, south of Whitianga, burnt through about 70 hectares of scrub, destroying 24 buildings, including six homes.

Police were speaking to witnesses and a full scene examination was under way with the Fire Service.

A Fire Service spokesperson said six rural appliances would probably remain on site managing hot spots for the next few days.

NZDF called to help

The New Zealand Defence Force's five-member firefighting crew worked overnight Thursday to extinguish hotspots.

Corporal Alex Walker said the ground was hot and there was smoke everywhere.

He said they used shovels and axes to dig out embers, finishing up about 6.30am Friday.

The NZDF firefighters would be helping the National Rural Fire Authority over the next five days.

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