Unexplained house fire at Pukahu south of Hastings

The Fire Emergency NZ crews in Te Aute Rd, south of Hastings, during a Monday afternoon house fire. Photo / Chris Hyde

A person has been discharged from hospital on Tuesday morning after an unexplained housefire in Pukahu south of Hastings on Monday left them with burns to his hands.

Three fire appliances and two tankers, from Hastings, Napier and Havelock North, fought the fire on Te Aute Rd after reports came in about 3.25pm on Monday. The house, mainly hidden from the road by trees off Te Aute Rd and near the Riverbend camp, was well-involved in fire when the first crews arrived, said a Fire Emergency New Zealand spokesperson. It was quickly brought under control.

A police spokeswoman said police “were advised of the house fire last night and were treating it as unexplained”.

A scene guard had been in place overnight Monday and staff will be conducting a scene examination on Tuesday the spokeswoman said.

Inquiries to determine the circumstances remain ongoing, but police are not currently treating the fire as suspicious.

Police remained at the scene on Tuesday morning after a housefire on Te Aute Rd on Monday afternoon. Photo / Warren Buckland

“The sole occupant of the house was discharged from hospital the following day after treatment for burns to his hands and smoke inhalation,” a police spokeswoman said.

”Police acknowledge the work of emergency services on the day who worked to keep the victim and neighbours safe, and help prevent damage to surrounding properties.”

It was the latest of a series of winter house fires in Hawke’s Bay.