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Firefighters faced a potentially explosive situation while fighting a house fire in the New Plymouth suburb of Marfell on Friday morning.
The fire is believed to have broken out in a shed at the rear of the property on Resolution Pl at around 6.15am.
The New Plymouth brigade was alerted to the fire after several neighbors reported hearing explosions coming from Kāinga Ora’s property.
A fire investigator and police also attended.
THINGS / Things
Firefighters were fighting a house fire on New Plymouth’s Resolution Pl on Friday morning.
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The call quickly escalated to a second alarm and was attended by five fire trucks with more than 20 firefighters and support personnel.
Fire investigator Andrew Cotter confirmed that it appeared the fire started in a shed at the rear of the property where gas bottles had been stored, causing the explosions.
“That was our concern from the beginning, making sure we were cooling those gas bottles to prevent further explosions,” Cotter said.
The smoke alarms working in the house had alerted the occupants and everyone was able to escape safely.
Cotter said the fire was not being treated as suspicious at this stage.
Neighbor Kayla Bridger said the noise woke her up when the house burst into flames.
“Glass broke and it sounded like gunshots,” Bridger said.
“It sounded close.”
Bridger got out of bed and went to investigate and, as he walked down the hall, he caught a glimpse of the burning building and heard people screaming.
“I just saw all the flames.”
His immediate concerns were for the occupants of the house and the neighbors.
“I just thought I hope everyone got out safely.”
Bridger said it was heartwarming to see the support offered to the occupants by the community.
“It has affected the entire community, not just the streets around the house.”
Central New Zealand Fire and Emergencies Commander on Duty Carlos Dempsey said multiple calls were received about the fire after neighbors reported hearing explosions.
Lyn and Kayla Bridger / Supplied
A house fire in Resolution Pl, New Plymouth, was heavily involved when firefighters arrived.
“We found the house engulfed in a fire upon arrival,” Dempsey said.
Cordons were placed on Cook St on both sides of the cul-de-sac and traffic was diverted around the scene.
Carlos said the fire rose to a second alarm, although there were no reports of injuries.
Things
Cook St, Marfell, was cordoned off as firefighters battled a house fire in Resolution Pl on Friday morning.
Neighbors lined the street in their robes watching the drama unfold.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that officers were at the scene, but that they were currently only helping firefighters.
