An engine fire on a boat with four people aboard off Coromandel has been extinguished and the vessel is making its way back to shore.
Emergency services were called out at about 3pm today after reports the launch, which was about 500m off the Pauanui coastline, was taking on water after a fire started on board.
Fire Service spokesman Jaron Phillips said firefighters boarded the vessel a short time later, but the engine blaze had been extinguished by the time they arrived.
He said the boat was making its own way back to shore, with the fire service rescue boat shadowing it as it made its way back.
Pauanui Surf also responded to the emergency.
