Fire crews battle Homedale blaze
Residents near a large house fire in Rotorua yesterday afternoon have described running to grab hoses when they saw flames.
Police and Fire and Emergency NZ staff were alerted to fire at a property on Homedale St about 12.55pm yesterday. Both have ongoing investigations into the incident.
Two fire appliances were initially sent to the scene and the house was “well involved” when crews arrived, a Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said. All occupants of the house were accounted for.
Two residents said they heard a crash, and saw the flames.
“We ran for the hoses.” According to witnesses, residents in the house next door turned their own hoses on to the blaze.
“I hope it's something I never have to see again,” one witness said.
Flames and black smoke were seen billowing from the house as fire crews battled the blaze.
A Homedale St resident told the Rotorua Daily Post she was two houses away and could feel the heat from the fire.
“I didn't realise until I saw some workmen from down the road running towards it,” she said.
“The house was fully ablaze and there was smoke pouring out the doors and windows.
“It is a bit scary. It's really tragic . . . we've been neighbours for years.”
Another resident said he was sitting on his balcony having a cigarette when he saw a woman out on the road.
“She went to go back in and that's when she noticed the smoke and flames,” he said.
“She was terrified. It was a serious fire and now it looks like a family has lost their home and all their belongings.”
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he'd known the owner of the house for seven or eight years.
“She's lost now.”
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