Firefighters control large blaze at Whangateau house
Sunday 18 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Emergency services have controlled a fire at a two-storey hillside property in Whangateau. The blaze, which was first spotted by someone on a boat, gutted the top storey and caused the roof to collapse. Twelve fire trucks responded to the incident on Sunday afternoon.
Key facts
4 facts
- A two-storey house fire occurred on Rodney Rd, Whangateau, on Sunday afternoon
- Fire and Emergency NZ responded with 12 appliances
- A helicopter with a monsoon bucket was used to protect surrounding forest
- The fire spread to nearby vegetation before being contained
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Emergency services have controlled a large fire at a two-storey house on Rodney Road in Whangateau. The fire spread to nearby vegetation, but the vegetation fire and the house fire have been contained.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the blaze at approximately 2pm or 2.05pm on Sunday. Crews arrived at the scene at 2.14pm to find the fire well involved. A helicopter using a monsoon bucket was deployed to assist ground crews and prevent the fire from spreading to the surrounding forest.
The fire was first spotted by someone on a boat. Witness Sasha Murray reported seeing the blaze from her boat at Ti Point at around 1.40pm and recorded the fire worsening until 3.12pm.
Photographs of the property show the top storey of the house was completely gutted, with the roof collapsed and walls caving in. Police involvement was limited to traffic management.
How it developed
- Sun 18 Oct, 5:19pmReport 2 specifies that 12 fire trucks were sent and a helicopter was used to support ground crews.
- Sun 18 Oct, 5:41pmReport 3 provides details that the top storey was completely gutted with the roof collapsed and walls caving in.
Where reports differ
- Reports differ on the exact time the alert was received, citing 2pm or 2.05pm.
- The number of responding fire engines is reported as five or twelve.
- The time the fire was first spotted varies between 1.40pm and the general 2pm alert time.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, 1News and Stuff.
