The latest from Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade

Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade has had 230 calls so far this year.

Emergency calls as at September 30: 230.

We have had 12 calls in the last fortnight.

We were called to two motor vehicle crashes with no extrication required, including one in Tauranga, however we were turned back before we could get there.

On September 16 we responded to a plane crash at Tauranga airport but were again not required and turned back before arrival.

We have had one medical call, sadly fatal, two false alarms and one investigation to a smell of gas with no action required.

There have been five fires: two vegetation, one smoke investigation and last Sunday a call to assist Maketū Volunteer Fire Brigade with a shelter belt fire on State Highway 33 that looked quite spectacular. We have been to one car fire and one assist to Maketū for a shed fire, which was under control when we arrived so we weren’t required.

There was a near miss when a couple were having their home cleaned with a water blaster and the power connection coming in to the house got wet and short-circuited. They stopped immediately when they noticed the wires sparking and arcing. Fortunately the fuse seems to have tripped before further damage was caused. However, it could have started a serious fire and it was fortunate they were paying attention.

Check out the brigade Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Te.Puke.Fire.Brigade