Tenants safe as fire rips through home

Firefighters remain at the property on the corner of Cumberland Crescent and Victory St yesterday, helping with an investigation. Photo / George Novak

The cause of a fire which ripped through a Welcome Bay home early yesterday, causing extensive damage and losses for the tenant, is yet to be determined.

Northern Fire Service Communications shift manager Carren Larking said the single-storey home on the corner of Victory St and Cumberland Cres was well involved when three crews from Greerton and Tauranga fire stations arrived.

A 111 call was received by the Fire Service at 5.18am yesterday, she said.

Ms Larking said firefighters remained at the scene for several hours after the fire was out to assist two fire investigators trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Greerton Fire Brigade station officer Bill Rackham said it was too early to say what had caused the fire, which resulted in extensive damage inside the house.

One man was treated for smoke inhalation, he said.

Mr Rackham said unfortunately the female tenant and her children lost everything in the blaze.

The owner, who had visited the property yesterday, confirmed smoke alarms had been installed in the house, but Mr Rackham said whether the alarms were working was yet to be established.

One Victory St resident said she was woken by shouting outside and then realised something must be terribly wrong as her bedroom "lit up like a Christmas tree".

"When I looked out the window I could see a house across the road in flames, and initially thought it was a property further down the street.

"There was a lot of smoke pouring from the house, and I also saw three fire trucks and fire crews were all working very hard to put the fire out.

"I was quite surprised when I realised the house was directly across the road from us. It's very upsetting.

"We prayed for the occupants and the firefighters that they were all safe. I'm so relieved no one was seriously hurt," the woman said.

A Cumberland Cres resident said his first thought was for the tenant and her children, but he understands she was not at home when the blaze broke out.

"The house looks knackered, but thankfully no one was seriously injured," he said.

Yesterday's fire came just five weeks or so after a large blaze destroyed a home in Harris St, Te Puke.

The cause of that fire, which partially burned through the front shed before it spread into the home on April 29, was due to an appliance accidently being left on, a Fire Service official confirmed.

The 75-year-old home owner was away at a tangi nearby.

Mr Rackham said it was timely to remind home owners and tenants to ensure that they had working smoke alarms installed and regularly checked the batteries.

Fire prevention tips

Every night before you turn out the light:

* Check kitchen appliances are turned off and safe.

* Check heaters are turned off and furniture and clothes are a metre from the fireplace.

* Empty the ashtray into a metal bin outside.

* Ensure the TV power switch is turned off.

* Blow out all candles.

* Close kitchen and living room doors to slow a fire spreading to bedrooms.

* Ensure passageways are clear for a quick escape.

* Working smoke alarms are a must-have.

- NZ Fire Service