KEY POINTS:
A bush fire which had threatened houses in Coromandel is now under control.
Fire service northern communications centre spokesman Scott Osmond said the fire began at 10.15pm yesterday in Tiki Quarry Road at Te Kouma, about 5km south of the Coromandel township.
Late this morning the fire was contained and there had been no damage to properties, he said.
Three helicopters that had battled the blaze since this morning were still in the area, dampening down hot spots.
At its peak up to 80 firefighters battled the fire which covered an area of up to 12 hectares.
- NZPA
