Okaihau students praised for fire role

The blaze at Tautoko FM. Photo / Jeremy Batten

Eight Okaihau College students have been praised for their part in helping put out a massive fire which razed Tautoko FM's headquarters at Mangamuka.

Firefighters were unable to save the two-storey wooden building on Monday night but they did stop the blaze spreading to adjoining shops.

The first brigade to arrive was from Okaihau, their numbers bolstered by eight college students who are training to be firefighters. Aged 16 and 17, one is already trained, one is an operational support officer, and the remaining six are recruits.

Okaihau fire chief Andrew Graham said the recruits assisted with traffic control - the building was located beside State Highway 1 - and operating the portable pumps.

"That helped us hugely. It let us carry on with the job of putting the fire out," he said.

The Okaihau firefighters were joined later by crews from Kaitaia, Kohukohu and Kaikohe.

The 111 call came in while the Okaihau brigade was holding its weekly training night at the station.

So many volunteers were present they travelled to Mangamuka in a fire appliance and three private vehicles.

Police and the Fire Service are still investigating the fire at Tautoko FM, which is now broadcasting from a caravan.