People were rescued as a fire tore through a Kāinga Ora apartment in Auckland’s Ōtāhuhu overnight.
Fire and Emergency’s Dave Hatton told 1News the blaze was “significant”. He confirmed the scene was a Kāinga Ora apartment block “with many units”.
“We’ve had a fire in one of those units where people had to be rescued by some very good firefighting work.”
They were evacuated by ladder, he said.
“All persons are accounted for, and a job well done by firefighters.”
Asked about the size of the fire, Hatton said: “One apartment was fully involved in fire, so it was a hot fire for the first firefighters entering in – but that’s what we train for, so it was all good.
“That’s what we train for, so it was all good,” a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said. (Source: 1News)
“People are our primary concern,” he added.
“It was an awesome effort from the firefighting crews, and it’s a credit to all of them, they were professional in the way they carried out their duties and it’s always good for the guys when they can complete these rescues and make sure people get out safely.”
Crews contained the fire overnight and were carrying out final checks early this morning.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said fire investigators were on the scene today.
“During the peak of the blaze 10 crews were in attendance, fire crews rescued several persons from a rear balcony.”