Police say they are making enquiries following a bush fire in Ōtaki yesterday evening.
Just before 5:20pm, Police were called to Marine Parade, near Rangiuru Road, after receiving a report of a suspicious bush fire. Attending FENZ units were able to assist two males trapped in the bush to safety through difficult terrain.
Two 17-year-olds are being referred to Youth Services after the “suspicious” bushfire in Ōtaki.
Nine rural appliances, four pump trucks and one command unit were called to the Marine Parade, near Rangiuru Road at around 5.20pm last night.
In a statement this morning, police say enquiries into the fire are underway.
“Two 17-year-old males are assisting CIB and will be referred to Youth Services,” a spokesperson says.
A FENZ spokesperson says crews had contained the blaze and were mopping up hotspots.
“The fire burnt through around five hectares of heavy scrub today which has made making firefighting efforts challenging.
“Top priority was keeping the fire away from houses, and this has been successful.”
The spokesperson said three crews stayed at the scene overnight, monitoring hotspots with a drone team.
Members of the Ōtaki Community emergency response group, including Community Board members, Chair Cam Butler and Jackie Elliott opened the Ōtaki east emergency hub to support members of the public overnight, had police needed to evacuate the three streets in direct vicinity of the fire.
Crews will return today to fully extinguish the fire.
