Roof space fire quelled quickly, thanks to alert neighbours

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Firefighters arrived in time to stop a potentially serious Whatatutu house fire in its tracks in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Fire and Emergency NZ responded with appliances and crews from Gisborne, Te Karaka and Whatatutu.

“There was no one home when the first crew arrived and they found a small fire burning in the roof void of the house,” a senior firefighter said.

After the power to the property was disconnected, the fire was extinguished .

“The damage was confined to the ceiling and part of the roof area of the home above the back porch and kitchen area. It was certainly caught in time.”

The alarm was raised by neighbours, who smelt smoke and called 111.

The senior firefighter said the cause was under investigation but was not thought to be suspicious.